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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
HONORABLE MARY FALLIN
GOVENOR
ANNUAL REPORT
OKLAHOMA MINING COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF MINES
Ninety Fourth Annual Report
Calendar Year 2010
Mary Ann Pritchard
DirectorANNUAL REPORT
2010
This publication printed by
Department of Central Services
Central Printing
As authorized by Mary Ann Pritchard, Director
In compliance with Title 45, Section 31,
Oklahoma Statutes
Copies of this report may be obtained from
Oklahoma Department of Mines
2915 North Classen Boulevard, Suite 213
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106
405.427.3859
405.427.9646 Fax
405.424.4932 Fax
Table of Contents
Mining in Oklahoma – Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Oklahoma Department of Mines Key Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Office of Chief Mine Inspector / Directors / State Mining Board . . . . . . . 3
Oklahoma Mining Commission / 2010 Commission Members . . . . . . . . . . 4
Oklahoma Miner Training Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Public Service/Safety Committee/Mine Health & Safety Conference . . . . . 6
Geology & Mineral Resources of Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Oklahoma Mining Production 2010 / Oklahoma Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Coalbed Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Coal Production 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Coalbed Production 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Surface & Underground Tonnage Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Major Mining Disasters in Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Non-Fuel Minerals / Minerals Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Asphalt / Bentonite / Caliche Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Chat / Clay Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Copper / Dimensional Stone Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Granite / Gypsum Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Iron Ore / Lead & Zinc Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Limestone Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Sand & Gravel Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Salt & Select Fill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Shale & Tripoli Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Volcanic Ash Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Acknowledgements / Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
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MINING IN OKLAHOMA – OVERVIEW
The Oklahoma mining industry has been very important to Oklahoma since before statehood. Currently, mining provides the basic raw materials for all of the products that we require so that: “If it is not grown, it must be mined”.
The Oklahoma Department of Mines regulates the production of solid minerals in the state, including coal and non-fuel minerals (crushed stone/limestone, granite, sand/gravel, clay/shale, dimensional stone, gypsum, salt, tripoli, asphalt, Bentonite, copper, iron ore, volcanic ash, lead/zinc, chat). The Oklahoma Corporation Commission regulates the production of the liquid and gaseous minerals in the state including iodine and helium, which are non-fuel minerals whose values are included below in the national statistics for non-fuel minerals used in this report. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission also regulates the production of the fuel minerals, oil and natural gas, which are reported as a separate Oil/Gas category for state and national statistics and are not included in the non-fuel mineral production report totals.
According to the National Mining Association, Oklahoma ranked 30th in the US in
non-fuel mineral production in 2010 with a value of $646 million. Oklahoma is ranked 4th in the US producing 69.3 million tons of industrial sand and gravel in 2010, as well as gypsum production at 3.3 million tons. The non-fuel mineral industry employed approximately 28,000 workers with an average annual income of $42,000 in 2010. Mining production in Oklahoma is expected to grow due to increased needs for major repairs and expansion of Oklahoma’s highway and bridge infrastructure.
Oklahoma receives 44%, almost half of its electric power from coal. Coal production decreased from 1 million short tons in 2009 to 956 thousand short tons in 2010. In 2009, Oklahoma ranked 22nd in the nation for coal production.
The Oklahoma mining industry has achieved these production levels with an excellent record of safety and environmental responsibility. Nationally, mining safety has been greatly improved from it past history. Construction, Agriculture and Manufacturing rates are down to around 6 recordable injuries per 100 workers per year. Mining accident rates are down to around 4 recordable injuries per 100 workers per year, with the only the Service and Office sectors having lower rates. While the potential hazards at mines still exist, the continuing diligent efforts of all the mining companies and their employees are proving their great value for achieving productive, safe, and environmentally responsible mining.
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OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR - STATE OF OKLAHOMA
DEPARTMENT OF MINES - KEY PERSONNEL
Director ………………………….………………………………… Mary Ann Pritchard
Deputy Director ……………..……..……………………….… Doug Schooley
Coal Program Director ……..…………………..…………. Rhonda Dossett
Chief Counsel ……………………………………………………. Mark Secrest
Chief Financial Officer ………………………………….….. Suzen Rodesney
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF MINES
The Office of the Chief Mine Inspector was created before statehood for the safe operation of mines and the protection of the health of those employed in the mines. The territorial years were well noted for the many mining disasters, and officials were busied with the necessary investigations and recommendations following each serious or fatal accident. Over the years major revisions in mining health and safety laws and the increase in surface mining versus underground mining helped to decrease mining fatalities in Oklahoma.
The extraction or mining of minerals from the earth occurs in every county of the state. Minerals mined in Oklahoma include coal, limestone, sand and gravel, gypsum, clay and shale, granite, volcanic ash, tripoli, salt, bentonite, iron ore, asphalt, copper and chat.
Before commencement of mining operations, a permit must be obtained from the Department. A permit is issued when the mine operator submits an acceptable application and posts adequate bond to cover reclamation costs should it be necessary for a third party to complete the reclamation process. The mining operator's permit application must include the requirements for legal and financial compliance, the safeguard of environmental resources, and an operations and reclamation plan. Before opening the site, the employees of the mining operation must be trained and certified in accordance with state and federal safety regulations. Mining practices, reclamation, and health and safety procedures are monitored on a regular basis by Department inspectors.
The general provisions of Title 45 O.S. address health and safety on the mine site and reclamation of mined land. In 1967, the Oklahoma Legislature passed the state's first reclamation law which became effective January 1, 1968. That law was replaced in July, 1971 with the Mining Lands Reclamation Act, which requires better reclamation in general and includes all mining. Until the passage of such legislation, however, 17,000 acres had been mined with little or no reclamation. This Act is still in effect for non-coal lands.
The Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 were created by Congress with the passage of Public Law 95-87. Subsequently, the State of Oklahoma enacted further legislation to equal the enforcement ability of the federal government. The Coal Reclamation Act of 1978 enabled Oklahoma to operate the interim program law and regulations (Section 715, CFR 30) under P. L. 95-87. It was followed by permanent standards adopted in 1979.
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OFFICE OF CHIEF MINE INSPECTOR ABOLISHED
In 1986, State Question 594 was passed by the Oklahoma voters. This amended sections of the Oklahoma Constitution by removing all mention of the Chief Mine Inspector. The Department of Mines is now administered by a Director chosen by the Mining Commission. The Director must be knowledgeable of the Oklahoma mining industry and have the ability to administer the functions of the Department.
DIRECTORS, DEPARTMENT OF MINES
Gayle Townley ............................................................................ 1986 -- 1987
Bennie Cox .................................................................................. 1987 -- 1993 James Hamm .................................................................................. 1993 -- 1998
Mary Ann Pritchard ...................................................................... 1998 -- Present
CHIEF MINE INSPECTORS
Pete Hanraty .................................................................................. 1907 -- 1910
R. W. Church .................................................................................. 1910 -- 1911
Ed Boyle .................................................................................. 1911 -- 1927
Miller D. Hay .................................................................................. 1927 -- 1931
Robert Brown .................................................................................. 1931 -- 1947
John M. Malloy................................................................................. 1947 -- 1963
Ward Padgett .................................................................................. 1963 -- 1980
Otis English .................................................................................. 1980 – 1980
DEPUTY CHIEF MINE INSPECTORS
Blaney Qualls ................................................................................. 1980 -- 1984
Gayle Townley ................................................................................. 1984 -- 1986
TERRITORIAL DIRECTORS
Luke W. Bryan ....................................................................... 1894 -- 1901
William Cameron ....................................................................... 1901 -- 1907
STATE MINING BOARD
The State Mining Board was established at statehood with the express purpose of testing and certifying persons who would hold the important positions of mine superintendent, foreman, hoisting engineer, and fire boss. The Board was later given additional responsibilities: to promulgate and enforce rules and regulations with regard to the health and safety of persons employed in the mines, to issue or revoke certificates of competency for surface and underground mine positions, to require the submission and review of plans and specifications for underground mine ventilation and safety and to recommend approval or denial of such plans to the Chief Mine Inspector. In addition, the Board acted as mediator between miners and operators on matters of health and safety; the decision of the Board was binding unless overturned by an opinion of the Attorney General or by a court of law. 4
As revised by the 1982 Legislature, the Mining Board was composed of ten members. Four of the members were strip miners, of which at least two represented the industry mining non-coal minerals. Two members were practical miners, who held either underground mine superintendent, mine foreman, or fire boss certification. Two members were owners or superintendents of coal mines. One member was a non-supervisory miner who was actively employed in an underground coal mine for at least five years and held a minimum of a fire boss certificate. The last member was the Chief Mine Inspector, who was the executive officer of the Board.
THE OKLAHOMA MINING COMMISSION
In 1985, the State Legislature abolished the State Mining Board and replaced it with the Oklahoma Mining Commission. This nine member board, which held its first meeting in January, 1986, is the policy-determining body of the Department of Mines and determines the broad plans and programs for the Department.
The membership of the Commission consists of one person with a background in engineering or geology; one person with a background in labor or worker's safety; one person with a background in agriculture or soil conservation; one person with a background in transportation; one person with a background in economic development or banking; one person with a background in public utilities; one person with a background in natural resources; and two persons selected at large.
OKLAHOMA MINING COMMISSION - 2010
J. Clement Burdick III, Vice Chairman ............................... Edmond, OK
Position #1; Engineering/Geology
Kris Kinder ....................................................................... Ninnekah, OK
Position #2; Labor/Worker’s Safety
George E. Fraley, Chairman .............................................. Chelsea, OK
Position #3; Agriculture/Conservation
Dave Donoley, Secretary .................................................. Wilburton, OK
Position #4; Transportation
Bill Willis, ……………………………………………………………………… Granite, OK
Position #5; Banking/Economic Development
Jan Kunze ....................................................................... Okla. City, OK
Position #6: Public Utilities
Larry Ennis ....................................................................... Ada, OK
Position #7; Natural Resources
Ernest Achterberg ........................................................... Tulsa, OK
Position #8; At-Large
Tim Lochridge ……………………..................................... Sulphur, OK
Position #9; At-Large
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OKLAHOMA MINER TRAINING INSTITUTE
The Oklahoma Miner Training Institute (OMTI) is operated under the direction of the Oklahoma Mining Commission. The Institute, located at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton, OK provides training in all aspects of mine safety and health. Regularly scheduled classes are provided at the school, or at the mine sites throughout the state to minimize the inconvenience to both miners and operators. All training provided by the Oklahoma Miner Training Institute in Wilburton is free of charge to the mining companies who hold permits in Oklahoma.
Courses Offered by OMTI
Accident Prevention Mine Gases
Annual Refresher Training New Miner Training #1 (Surface)
Annual Refresher (Underground) New Miner Training #2 (Surface) Blasting Certification (Surface) New Miner Training (Underground) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) State and Federal Regulations
Electrical Training State Surface Certification
Electrical Retraining State Surface Certification Refresher
Fire Prevention and Control Surface Blasters Refresher
First Aid (Initial) Underground Rescue Training
First Aid (Refresher)
Instructor Training
OMTI Personnel
Aaron Farris, Director
Danita Oller, Secretary
Danny Thornburg, Instructor
OKLAHOMA MINER TRAINING INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT For the Years of 2010
Year
# Miners Trained
Total #
Of Classes
Total #
Classroom Hours
Coal
Metal/Non-Metal
2010
95
4,282
267
1,764
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PUBLIC SERVICE
The Oklahoma Department of Mines was proud to present its first Student Outreach Program in April 2000. The Student Outreach Program was designed to provide students and teachers of Oklahoma with a better understanding of the mining process in Oklahoma. The Department conducted three student outreach presentations during 2010. At Okay Elementary School, ODM interacted with fourth and fifth grade students explaining the permitting process, phases of mining, and demonstrated how a seismograph and a Hack Kit works to test water. ODM presented an exhibit at the Annual ScienceFest at the Oklahoma City Zoo with a hands-on demonstration of seismographs and information on how they are used in mining. ODM also did a presentation at the Tahlequah Rock & Mineral Show providing information on geology, blasting, reclamation and general information about mining.
SAFETY COMMITTEE
The Oklahoma Mining Commission established a Safety Committee on March 16, 2000. This committee creates and produces monthly “Safety-Grams” for distribution to all mining permittees and operators in Oklahoma. Twenty-four individual Safety-Grams were published from January to December 2010. The Safety-Grams cover a variety of topics including basic first-aid, safe operation of mining equipment, and compliance with Oklahoma mining rules and regulations. Safety-Grams are posted or distributed on mine sites by the Department of Mines so that all mine employees have ready access to the information.
OKLAHOMA MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY CONFERENCE
The State of Oklahoma is one of a very few states that has its own Mine Health and Safety Conference. For the past nineteen years, the Oklahoma Miner Training Institute and the Oklahoma Department of Mines have joined with Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to co-host this conference. The purpose of the conference is to combat health and safety issues that plague the mining industry. This conference is usually held in the fall of the year at a designated site in Oklahoma City. As many as twelve other mining states come to Oklahoma to attend beneficial workshops and receive recognition awards for their safety efforts.
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GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF OKLAHOMA
Geology
Oklahoma is a region of complex geology where several major sedimentary basins are set among mountain ranges and uplifts. The state contains many classic areas where fundamental concepts of geology, petroleum exploration, and mineral production have been formulated through the years. Because of its geologic history, Oklahoma has abundant mineral resources that include petroleum (crude oil and natural gas), coal, non-fuel minerals (lead, zinc, gypsum, limestone, salt, sand and gravel), and water.
Geologic forces deep within the earth’s crust hundreds of millions of years ago caused portions of Oklahoma to subside as major sedimentary basins, while adjacent areas were folding and thrust upward as major mountain uplifts. Most of the outcropping rocks in Oklahoma are of sandstone, limestone, and gypsum. These sedimentary rocks typically are 2,000-10,000 feet thick in the northern shelf areas, and they increase sharply to 30,000-40,000 feet thick in the deep basins of the south. These sedimentary rocks contain most of the state’s mineral resources, including petroleum, coal, water, and most of the non-fuel minerals. Sedimentary rocks rest upon a “basement” of igneous and metamorphic rocks that underlie all parts of the state.
Exposed in the southern Oklahoma mountain belts are a great variety of sedimentary and igneous rock units seen at few other places in the entire mid-continent region. Steeply dipping strata, such as those exposed along Interstate 35 through the Arbuckle Mountains, attest to the strong geologic forces that folded and raised the mountain blocks. Outcropping rocks outside the mountain regions are essentially horizontal, with dips of less than one degree being most common. These strata typically form gently rolling hills and plains: thick shale units form broad, flat plains and valleys, where resistant layers of sandstone and limestone cap mesas, cuestas, and hills 100-500 feet high. Rocks and soils of western Oklahoma typically are red in color, due to oxides present in the bedrock, whereas rocks and soils elsewhere are shades of brown, gray, and black.
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OKLAHOMA MINERALS
COAL
Oklahoma fuel resources include coal, oil, and natural gas. Coal mining is regulated by the Oklahoma Department of Mines and is discussed below. Oil and natural gas production are regulated by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and are not discussed in this report.
Identified coal resources are present in an area of approximately 8,000 square miles in 20 counties in eastern Oklahoma. This area is within the southern part of the Western Region of the Interior Coal Province of the United States (Campbell, 1917). The coal beds are of Middle and Late Pennsylvania age, 0.8 to 10 feet thick, 0.4% to 6.5% in sulfur content, coking or noncoking, contain 11,400 to 15,000 Btu/lb, and are low (2-7%) in inherent moisture.
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Oklahoma contains the most significant deposits of bituminous coal between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. Although the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System is available for barging coal to international ports, most coal production sis shipped by truck or rail. As of January 1, 1994, 8.1 billion short tons of remaining coal resources have been identified; 76% are in the Arkoma basin and 24% are in the northeast Oklahoma shelf area. About 41% of the State’s coal resources are low- and medium-volatile bituminous in rank and are present in the Arkoma basin.
Remaining Identified (Bituminous) Coal Resources in Oklahoma January 1, 2007
County
Short Tons
(thousands)
Atoka
29,619
Coal
292,875
Craig
638,560
Creek
15,573
Haskell
1,509,081
Latimer
840,492
LeFlore
1,962,725
Mayes
31,094
McIntosh
36,319
Muskogee
95,531
Nowata
27,829
Okfuskee
155,964
Okmulgee
339,909
Pittsburg
1,383,833
Rogers
360,183
Sequoyah
27,146
Tulsa
169,974
Wagoner
128,945
Washington
23,450 Total 8,069,102
The bituminous coals of the state are low volatile in northern LeFlore County; medium volatile in northern LeFlore, Sequoyah, and most of Haskell Counties; high volatile A and B in Craig and Nowata Counties, parts of Haskell County, and in most of the remaining coal-bearing counties; and high volatile C in Coal and Pittsburg Counties.
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The commercial coalbeds in the Northeast Oklahoma Shelf area are 0.8-5.0 feet thick, average 2.0 feet thick, dip westward from ½ degree to 2 degrees, and contain more than 3 percent sulfur by weight with the exception of the low-sulfur Croweburg and Secor coals. The coalbeds in the Arkoma Basin area are 1-10 feet thick and occur in eroded anticlines and synclines that trend northeastward. The coals crop out mostly along the sides of these folded and faulted structures, and their dip ranges from 3 degrees to nearly vertical.
The face cleat trend is northwestward in the coal beds of the Shelf and the Basin. In the Arkoma Basin, coals that exhibit steep dips (18 degrees to 65 degrees) commonly were mined before 1960. From 1960 to 1974, no mines were developed in steeply dipping coalbeds because of cost. The Arab oil embargo of 1973 resulted in increases in demand and prices for coal. Thus from 1974 to 1984, seven surface mines were developed in steeply dipping coalbeds in the Arkoma Basin, and they produced coking and metallurgical coal in which the sulfur content was only 1%. Coal from steeply dipping beds has not been mined since 1984 because of the high cost. Of the remaining coal resources in the state, 76% are in the Arkoma Basin and 24% are in the Shelf area. About 41% of the coal is low- and medium-volatile bituminous in rank, and it is in the Arkoma Basin. The weighted average sulfur content of the total remaining resources is 2.3%.
Approximately 680 million tons of Oklahoma's remaining coal resources were estimated (Friedman, 1974) as strippable from beneath 100 feet or less of overburden, in beds 12 inches or more in thickness. Strippable coal resources were reported in Atoka, Coal, Craig, Creek, Haskell, Latimer, LeFlore, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Nowata, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Pittsburg, Rogers, Sequoyah, Tulsa, and Wagoner Counties in 25 different coalbeds. The Demonstrated Reserve Base (DRB) shows 342 million tons as strippable (U.S. Department of Energy, 1996).
In 1986, the major use of Oklahoma coal was by out-of-state electric power generating plants, and the major use of Oklahoma coal in Oklahoma was in cement and lime kilns, at a paper plant, and for process heat at an auto assembly plant. In 1987, however, state law required blending 10% of the BTU value of total non-Oklahoma (Wyoming) coal consumed at Oklahoma power plants with Oklahoma coal. Consequently, a significant change took place in the distribution of Oklahoma coals by the end use. By 1991, more than 50% of Oklahoma coal production was shipped to Oklahoma electric power plants. Although the 1987 “10%” law was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in January 1992, the 1991 Oklahoma coal production increased 16% from 1990.
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This is explained by a shift in shipments of Oklahoma coal in 1991 to the AES Shady Point fluidized-bed combustion power plant in LeFlore County. Nevertheless, about 18 million tons of low-sulfur (0.4%) subbituminous Wyoming coal was shipped to Oklahoma public utilities in 1997. Oklahoma power plants rank fourth among the states consuming coal imported from Wyoming. Cumulative coal production in Oklahoma (1873-2010) is 294 million tons.
COALBEDS
A total of 25 named bituminous coal beds are present and have been mined in eastern Oklahoma. Most past production has been from the Hartshorne, Lower Hartshorne, McAlester, and Croweburg Coals, which were mined by underground methods. A total of 85% of the coal produced in 2010 was mined at surface operations in the Hartshorne, Lower Hartshorne, Stigler, Secor, Croweburg, Morris and Iron Post Coals. One underground mine issued in 1995 increased its production of Hartshorne Coal from 43% in 2009 to 67% in 2010. Coal rank, generalized for all coals at or near the surface, ranges from high-volatile bituminous in the northeast Oklahoma shelf and western Arkoma Basin to medium-volatile bituminous and low-volatile bituminous in the eastern Arkoma Basin in Oklahoma. Rank increases from west to east and with depth in the Arkoma Basin, attaining semianthracite in Arkansas.
HARTSHORNE COAL
At the southern edge of the coal region in Oklahoma, the Hartshorne Coal commonly is split into two beds by shale and sandstone that are 1 to 100 feet thick. The two beds are called the Upper and Lower Hartshorne Coals, and they have been extensively mined. North of the position of the long axis of the Arkoma Basin, the Hartshorne Coal is not split but is a single bed 1 to 7 feet thick containing, in most places, a persistent black shale or mudstone parting about 1 to 5 inches thick. Core drilling and successful efforts at underground mine development since 1969 have demonstrated significant underground coal resources in the Hartshorne Coal in areas in Haskell and LeFlore Counties, where it is 3 to 7 feet thick, of low- or medium-volatile bituminous rank, and an excellent coking coal.
In 2010, 63% of Oklahoma’s coal production was from the Hartshorne Coal decreasing from 65% in 2009. The Hartshorne Coal is a prime target for coalbed methane production (Friedman, 1982). The Hartshorne Coalbed contains 1,552 million tons of remaining resources (Friedman, 1974) and large resources of coalbed methane. In 1988, the first coalbed methane production was reported from the Hartshorne Coalbed, where it is about 4 feet thick and 700 feet deep near Kinta, Haskell County.
LOWER HARTSHORNE COAL
Mined in the Arkoma Basin mostly for metallurgical coke manufacture for 115 years, the Lower Hartshorne Coal has been shipped to electric power plants since 1985. Hundreds of underground mines, many of them referred to as no more than “dog holes” have been 12
developed along the 120 miles of outcrop of the Lower Hartshorne Coal since 1872, at which time a railroad first connected McAlester, Pittsburg County, with Arkansas, and thus with the other states. The Lower Hartshorne Coal is 0.8 to 7.0 feet thick, averaging 4 feet in underground mines. The railroads used this premium-grade coal for steam, but historically the coal was shipped to blast furnaces in Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Japan. The Lower Hartshorne Coalbed contains at least 1,541 million tons of remaining coal resources (Friedman, 1974), and it also contains coalbed methane resources.
UPPER HARTSHORNE COAL
The Upper Hartshorne Coal was once extensively mined at outcrops on the flanks of anticlines in LeFlore, Haskell, Latimer and Pittsburg Counties. It is 2 to 4 feet thick and is low- or medium-volatile bituminous in rank in the east end of the Arkoma Basin and high-volatile in the west end. The Upper Hartshorne Coalbed contains 663 million tons of remaining coal resources (Friedman, 1974), and it also contains coalbed methane resources.
McALESTER COAL
The McAlester Coalbed has been extensively mined by underground methods at McAlester in central Pittsburg County and in southeastern Coal County. Throughout the Arkoma Basin, the McAlester Coalbed is 1.5 to 5.0 feet thick and mostly high-volatile bituminous in rank. The coal is thickest in Coal and Pittsburg Counties. It is suitable for use in electric power generation, for blending with higher rank coal for coke manufacture, in cement and lime manufacture, and it is suitable for gasification and liquefaction conversion processes. The McAlester Coal contains 1,012 million tons of remaining resources (Friedman, 1974), and it contains significant coalbed methane resources in places where it is 3 to 5 feet thick.
STIGLER COAL
Correlated with the McAlester Coal (Friedman, 1978), the Stigler Coal has been mined historically to depths of 30 to 45 feet by surface methods in Haskell, LeFlore, Muskogee and Sequoyah Counties. The Stigler Coal was mined to 100 feet in Sequoyah County and to 140 feet in Haskell County. Mostly of low- and medium-volatile bituminous rank, the low-sulfur (0.5 to 1.0%) Stigler Coal has been used in coke manufacture in U.S. and overseas markets. In 1978-1979, 11 companies operated surface mines in this high BTU (13,000 - 14,500) coal, where it is 1.0 to 2.7 feet thick. This premium grade coal is overlain by 15 to 110 feet of medium- and dark-gray mudstone, the Stigler Rider Coal (correlated with the Upper McAlester Coal of Latimer, Pittsburg and Coal Counties), one sandstone bed, and in places, Quaternary silt and sand. The Stigler Coalbed contains 533 million tons of remaining resources (Friedman, 1974). Less than 15% of Oklahoma’s coal production was from the Stigler Coal in 2010 and less than 10% in 2009.
CAVANAL COAL
The Cavanal Coal, moderate in ash and high in sulfur content, is of medium-volatile bituminous rank and crops out on the synclinal flanks of Cavanal Mountain in LeFlore County (Knechtel, 1949). Of high-volatile bituminous rank, it was mapped in Pittsburg County 13
(Hendricks, 1937). In 1976, it was mined at a surface operation on the north side of Cavanal Mountain, where it is 2 feet thick and overlain by 35 feet of blue-gray shale that is overlain by sandstone. Total remaining resources in the Cavanal Coal in the Arkoma Basin are 159 million tons (Friedman, 1974). About 60 feet below the Cavanal, the Lower Cavanal Coal, 2.0 to 2.2 feet thick, was mined by surface and underground methods in LeFlore County in 1942-43 (Knechtel, 1949). This medium-volatile bituminous coal contains undetermined resources.
LOWER WITTEVILLE COAL
The Lower Witteville Coal is widely distributed in the Arkoma Basin. In the first half of the twentieth century, underground mines produced 522,000 tons of this coal from Cavanal Mountain, LeFlore County, where it is 3 to 4 feet thick and contains thin shale partings. The Lower Witteville may correlate with the Drywood Coal in the Savanna Formation of the Northeast Shelf area (Friedman, 1982), or with an unnamed coal that occurs in a shale interval within the Bluejacket sandstone member of the Boggy Formation (Hemish, 1994). It is medium-volatile bituminous in rank, and thus it probably contains coalbed methane resources. The Lower Witteville Coal contains 52 million tons of identified coal resources in LeFlore County (Friedman, 1974).
ROWE COAL
A high-sulfur, high-volatile bituminous coal, the Rowe is 0.8 to 3.0 feet thick in Craig, Mayes, Muskogee, Rogers and Wagoner Counties. The remaining resources in the Rowe Coal are 25 million tons (Hemish, 1986, 1989). The Rowe Coal may be suitable for gasification and liquefaction conversion processes.
SECOR COAL
The Secor Coal in the Boggy Formation contains a minimum of 446 million tons of identified coal resources (Friedman, 1974). Recent exploration and mining indicates that additional millions of tons of this coal are present in LeFlore County. The Secor Coalbed is 1.5 to 4.3 feet thick, moderately brightly banded and medium-to-high-volatile bituminous in rank. High in ash and sulfur content, it contains 12,000 to 14,000 BTU/lb. The coal has been considered of marginal economic value for most markets. Discovery of a rare occurrence of a low-sulfur (1% or less) deposit of the Secor Coal in McIntosh and Wagoner Counties (Friedman, 1978) resulted in 3.2 million tons of production of this rare coal from 10 strip mines from 1978-1990.
WEIR-PITTSBURG COAL
Correlated from outcrops and drilling data in southeastern Kansas (Friedman, 1974), the Weir-Pittsburg Coal contains 496 million tons of identified coal resources in the Northeastern Oklahoma Shelf. Mined by surface methods in Craig, Mayes, Rogers, and Wagoner Counties, the Weir-Pittsburg Coal is 1.1 to 3.0 feet thick and is overlain by 20 to 30 feet of gray shale that in some places contains marine invertebrate fossils. This coal is high in sulfur (more than 3%) and ash (more than 12%). No production has been reported from this coalbed since 1980 because its run-of-mine condition has been of marginal economic value. 14
MINERAL COAL & MORRIS COAL
The Mineral is a high-volatile bituminous coal, 1.2 to 2.7 feet thick, averaging 1.8 feet in Craig, Nowata, Rogers, Tulsa, and Wagoner Counties. The Mineral Coal is overlain by a hard, thin, impure limestone and gray shale in most places in Craig County. Dunham and Trumbull (1955) described the Morris Coal as 7 to 30 inches thick, averaging 16 inches in the Henryetta Mining District. About 30 million short tons of identified resources of Morris Coal have been determined (Friedman, 1974). Although adverse geologic and mining conditions are present in the faulted area north of Morris, additional resources and recoverable reserves of Morris Coal undoubtedly are present in other places in Okmulgee County. Physical, chemical, petrographic and stratigraphic characteristics of the Morris Coal strongly indicate its correlation with the Mineral Coal of the Northern Shelf area (and of Kansas and Missouri)(Friedman, 1974, 1982). The Eram Coal in Okmulgee County is also correlated with the Mineral Coal (Hemish, 1988). The Mineral Coal (and equivalent coalbeds) contains 198 million tons of identified coal resources in Craig, Nowata, Okmulgee, Rogers, Tulsa, and Wagoner Counties (Hemish, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1994).
CROWEBURG COAL
The Croweburg has been one of three leading coals produced in Oklahoma, because it contains 1% or less sulfur and a Free Swelling Index (FSI) of 6 or more in most of the area of its distribution in the Northeastern Oklahoma Shelf. A total of 681 million tons of identified remaining resources of the Croweburg Coal has been reported (Hemish, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1994) as present in Oklahoma. The Croweburg has been known as the Henryetta Coal, the Broken Arrow Coal, and the “Sequoyah” Coal (Oakes, 1944). In 2010, 17% of coal production in Oklahoma was Croweburg Coal.
IRON POST COAL
Fort Scott Coal is also known as Iron Post Coal. The Iron Post Coal is the uppermost commercial coal in the Senora Formation. It crops out across Craig, Nowata, and Rogers Counties in an irregular line roughly parallel to the outcrop line of the Croweburg Coal. The Iron Post Coal lies about 30 to 50 feet above the Verdigris Limestone and is overlain by a few inches to a few feet of black and gray shale. The shale is overlain in turn by a limestone known as Breezy Hill. It has a high BTU value that averages about 13,000. It averages about 12 inches in thickness, and has an average sulfur content of about 3.5%. Less than 1% of Oklahoma’s coal production was from Iron Post Coal and less than 2% in 2009.
15
COAL PRODUCTION
Oklahoma coal production has declined from its peak of 5.73 million tons in 1981 to a low of 978,842 thousand tons in 2010. This trend can be attributed to several factors, including the reduced demand for metallurgical coal, the loss of cement markets in Dallas, lower prices for coal, high transportation costs, lack of financial incentives, lack of available local investment capital, and lower prices for natural gas. One bright spot is the use of Oklahoma coal at the Applied Energy Services Cogeneration Plant near Shady Point, Oklahoma, which burns in excess of 800,000 tons of Oklahoma coal each year. Until recent years, the major consumption of Oklahoma coal had been by out-of-state utilities. Major in-state use of Oklahoma coal has been by the cement and lime industry and utilities. Like the oil and gas industries, the coal industry has experienced production cycles. There is potential for Oklahoma’s coal resources to provide the basis for economic growth; only the apex of coal resources has been exploited.
Coal Production Information (Tons Produced) 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
6
4
178
1,866
433,644
978,842 Counties 2010
Haskell
140,692
LeFlore
615,304
Nowata/Craig
3,342
Okmulgee
1,974
Rogers
173934 Coal Permit Activities
Permits Issued
2
Permits on Inspectable Units List
58
Acreage Permitted
24,463
Inspections Conducted
512
Violations Issued
22
Phase III Bond Releases Approved
2
Revisions Issued
20 16
0100,000200,000300,000400,000500,000600,000700,000615,304208,13012,741140,6921,97400Oklahoma Coalbed Prodution -Tons2010
17
COAL Surface & Underground Tonnage Comparison YEAR (Fiscal) Surface Underground % Surface Mined Total
1930
351,109
2,905,557
11 3,256,666
1932
245,344
1,146,401
18
1,391,745
1933
228,674
758,230
23
986,904
1934
278,199
841,803
25
1,120,002
1935
275,233
832,590
25
1,107,823
1936
268,058
974,880
20
1,242,947
1937
452,704
875,037
36
1,327,741
1938
430,961
921,534
32
1,352,495
1939
355,175
707,037
33
1,062,212
1940
499,989
840,340
37
1,340,329
1941
675,429
982,583
41
1,658,012
1942
851,223
1,241,236
41
2,092,459
1943
1,273,960
1,582,462
45
2,856,422
1944
1,377,637
1,408,855
49
2,786,492
1945
1,804,954
1,295,974
58
3,100,928
1946
1,630,250
1,008,860
62
2,639,110
1947
1,812,881
1,013,885
64
2,826,766
1948
2,270,668
1,149,484
66
3,420,152
1949
2,218,492
991,960
69
3,210,452
1950
2,042,705
856,823
70
2,899,528
1951
1,437,278
957,691
60
2,394,969
1952
1,203,020
958,306
56
2,161,326
1953
1,426,672
870,162
62
2,296,834
1954
1,105,955
764,377
59
1,870,332
1955
1,118,841
787,440
59
1,906,281
1956
1,470,688
581,611
72
2,052,299
1957
1,469,891
474,875
76
1,944,766
1958
1,434,555
430,985
77
1,865,540
1959
1,347,922
348,608
80
1,696,530
1960
1,064,938
425,999
71
1,490,937
1961
953,265
128,436
88
1,081,701
1962
891,431
161,294
85
1,052,725
1963
956,232
55,713
94
1,011,945
1964
1,026,162
12,817
99
1,038,979
1965
954,043
9,523
99
963,566
1966
835,692
6,291
99
841,983
1967
822,903
2,352
99
825,983
1968
1,059,263
45,979
96
1,105,242
1969
1,716,877
120,490
94
1,837,367
1970
2,204,870
237,594
90
2,442,464
1971
2,038,565
194,928
91
2,233,493
18
COAL Surface & Underground Tonnage Comparison Cont… YEAR (Fiscal) Surface Underground % Surface Mined Total
1972
2,445,311
84,900
97 2,530,211
1973
2,194,670
0
100
2,194,670
1974
2,374,685
0
100
2,374,685
1975
2,850,427
0
100
2,850,427
1976
3,626,781
0
100
3,636,781
1977
5,346,654
0
100
5,346,654
1978
5,425,432
3,246
99
5,428,678
1979
4,491,211
1,476
99
4,492,687
1980
5,338,287
3,102
99
5,341,389
1981
5,723,312
5,149
99
5,728,461
1982
4,619,783
39,556
99
4,659,339
1983
3,672,107
13,783
99
3,685,890
1984
4,226,106
0
100
4,226,106
1985
3,343,188
0
100
3,343,188
1986
2,969,523
6,751
98
2,976,274
1987
2,866,840
0
100
2,866,840
1988
2,117,536
0
100
2,117,536
1989
1,728,437
39,855
98
1,768,292
1990
1,523,797
102,963
94
1,626,760
1991
1,863,720
26,839
99
1,890,599
1992
1,691,406
58,590
97
1,749,996
1993
1,704,275
92,076
95
1,796,351
1994
1,900,114
10,647
99
1,910,761
1995
1,860,514
25,450
99
1,885,964
1996
1,570,393
136,702
92
1,707,095
1997
1,407,562
211,686
87
1,619,248
1998
1,439,708
294,205
83
1,733,913
1999
1,461,234
199,760
88
1,660,994
2000
1,349,036
244,577
85
1,593,613
2001
1,303,334
412,434
76
1,715,818
2002
930,657
463,481
67
1,394,138
2003
1,174,237
456,837
72
1,631,074
2004
1,269,968
409,068
76
1,679,036
2005
1,172,751
465,459
72
1,638,209
2006
1,315,872
464,086
74
1,779,958
2007
1,146,230
514,288
69
1,660,518
2008
1,027,291
442,338
70
1,469,629
2009
548,961
487,063
53
1,036,024
2010
569,929
408,913
54
978,842
19
MAJOR MINING DISASTERS IN OKLAHOMA
NAME & LOCATION
DATE
NUMBER
KILLED
CAUSE
Osage Coal & Mining, Krebs
03/00/1885
13
Gas & Dust
Mines #1 & #2, Savanna
04/06/1887
18
Gas & Dust
Osage Coal & Mining Co., Krebs
01/07/1892
96
Gas & Dust
Choctaw-Oklahoma Gulf Railway Co., Alderson
04/29/1901
5
Gas & Dust
McAlester Coal Co., Alderson
12/28/1901
6
Gas & Dust
McAlester Coal Co., Alderson
01/13/1902
6
Cage Dump
Milby-Dow Coal Co., Dow
01/13/1902
10
Mine Fire
Central Coal & Coke Co., Carbon
04/13/1903
6
Gas & Dust
Missouri-Kansas Co., Wilburton
04/30/1905
13
Gas & Dust
Poteau Coal & Mercantile Co., Witteville
04/30/1906
14
Dynamite
Hailey-Ola Coal Co., Haileyville
08/26/1908
29
Oil Fire
Rock Island Coal & Mining Co., Hartshorne
10/21/1909
10
Gas & Dust
Western Coal & Coke Co., Lehigh
03/31/1910
6
Gas & Dust
San Boise Coal Co., McCurtain
03/20/1912
73
Gas & Oil
Union Coal Co., Adamson
09/04/1914
14
Slope Cave-In
Rock Island Coal & Mining Co., Alderson
06/30/1919
15
Gas & Dust
MK & T Coal Co., Degnan
08/21/1920
10
Gas & Dust
McCurtain Improvement Co., McCurtain
10/20/1922
8
Gas & Dust
Eastern Coal Co., Wilburton
01/13/1926
91
Gas & Dust
Superior Smokeless Coal Co., Tahona
09/03/1926
16
Gas & Dust
Covington Coal Co., Poteau
12/17/1929
61
Gas & Dust
Sample Coal Co., McAlester
10/30/1930
30
Gas & Dust
Hailey-Ola Coal Co., Haileyville
11/29/1930
13
Gas & Dust
Bond Valley Coal Co., Haileyville
01/17/1945
9
Gas & Dust 20
NON-FUEL MINERALS Oklahoma’s mines exclusively produced industrial minerals; no metals were mined in the state, based upon USGS estimates of the quantities produced in the 50 states during 2010. Oklahoma was one of only two states that produced iodine in 2009. Oklahoma also continued to be the first in gypsum production in 2008 falling to the fourth largest producer in 2010. Additionally, the state continued to be a significant producer of crushed stone, portland cement, construction sand and gravel, and masonry cement for 2010. In 2010, Oklahoma’s estimated value of non-coal raw mineral production was $646 million based upon the annual U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data. The state ranked 27th in 2009 and 30th in 2010 among the 50 states in total non-fuel mineral production value, of which Oklahoma accounted for nearly 1% of the U. S. total value. In 2010, crushed stone continued to be Oklahoma’s leading non-fuel mineral commodity, accounting for two-fifths of the state’s total non-fuel mineral production value. Based upon value, crushed stone was followed by construction sand and gravel, industrial sand and gravel, gypsum and iodine. The combined values of three of Oklahoma’s four major construction materials - crushed stone, sand and gravel, and gypsum (descending order of value) - accounted for 63% of the total value.
MINERALS PERMITS
Minerals Mining Permit Activities 2010
Permits Issued
51
Revisions Issued
61
Annual Renewals Processed
551
Inspections Conducted
5,632
Violations Issued
580 Non-Mining Blasting Activity 2010
Blasting Permits Issued
18
Blasting Plans Reviewed
33
Blasting Exemptions Issued
100
Non-Mining Blasting Inspections
23
Violations Issued
0
21
ASPHALT
Asphalt is a viscous residue of petroleum found in porous rocks. It was mined commercially in Oklahoma from around 1900 through 1960, primarily in Murray and Atoka Counties, but has not been mined in recent years.
BENTONITE
Bentonite is either of two principally aluminum silicate clays, containing some magnesium and iron, distinguished by sodium or calcium content with corresponding high or low swelling capacity and used in various adhesives, cements, and ceramic fillers. There was no Bentonite production in 2010.
CALICHE
Caliche is a sedimentary rock, a hardened deposit of calcium carbonate. This calcium carbonate cements together other materials, including gravel, sand, clay, and silt. Caliche is generally light colored but can range from white to light pink to reddish-brown, depending on the impurities present. It is generally found on or near the surface, but it can be found in deeper subsoil deposits as well. The layers can vary from a few inches to feet thick, and multiple layers can exist in a single location.
Caliche Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
2
7
65
371
5,992
107,422 Counties
Ellis
106,614
Texas
808
22
CHAT (CHAT HAULING)
The term "chat" is applied to fragments of silicious rock, limestone, and dolomitic waste rejected in the lead-zinc milling operations that accompanied lead-zinc mining in Ottawa County, largely in the first half of the twentieth century. These chats, found as huge man-made mounds in that county, are utilized as construction aggregate, principally for railroad ballast, highway construction, and concrete production.
Chat Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
1
1
90
254
15,272
286,123 Counties
Ottawa
286,123
CLAY
Clay is a naturally occurring material composed primarily of fine-grained minerals. Clay deposits are mostly composed of clay minerals, a subtype of phyllosilicate minerals, which impart plasticity and harden when fired or dried; they also may contain variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure by polar attraction. Organic materials which do not impart plasticity may also be a part of clay deposits. Clay Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
20
50
977
2,796
96,972
1,241,188 Counties
Bryan
0
Canadian
448,068
Carter
3,930
Cherokee
42,209
Cleveland
39,180
Creek
19,690
Delaware
2,075
Greer
23,826
LeFlore
39,012
Lincoln
1,630
Logan
45,276
23
Clay Production Cont…. County 2010
Mayes
1,336
Muskogee
350
Oklahoma
84,964
Ottawa
292,871
Pontotoc
27,284
Rogers
86,400
Seminole
238,073
Sequoyah
22,434
Tulsa
87,388
COPPER
The occurrence of copper in Oklahoma has been known since the mid-19th century, when observations were first recorded in what is now Jefferson County. Studies in 1962 proved that deposits in Jackson County were of a sufficient quality and thickness for commercial value. First production from these reserves was in 1965, although the operation is inactive now.
DIMENSIONAL STONE
The term dimensional stone refers to stone that is finished to specific dimensions and shapes. Most commonly it is quarried in large rectangular blocks, which are then sawed into slabs for further finishing, and used in building, monuments, furniture industrial applications and other uses. Other stone, sold as fieldstone, flagging, rubble and other similar names, is sold in either natural or broken sizes and shapes that are sorted into size ranges, but not finished or dressed to specific dimensions. These types of stone can be used for building, paving, decorative, or other purposes.
Dimensional Stone Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
6
14
5,119
12,363
793,648
392,788 Counties
Choctaw
3,626
Haskell
172,627
Latimer
7,089
Johnston
1,595
LeFlore
183,384
Muskogee
2,796
Pontotoc
1,130
Pittsburg
2,388
Sequoyah
2,153 24
GRANITE
Oklahoma’s commercially quarried granite deposits are confined to the Arbuckle and Wichita Mountains. Production is limited to Johnston and Murray Counties in the Arbuckle’s and Greer and Kiowa Counties in the Wichita’s. The variety of colors of granite found in Oklahoma makes it desirable for use as dimension stone and monument stone.
Granite Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
4
7
1,302
1,323
241,152
4,557,052 Counties
Greer
23,656
Johnston
2,530,921
Kiowa
835,373
Murray
1,167,102
GYPSUM
Gypsum is a calcium sulfate compound found in large quantities as rock in western Oklahoma, principally in Blaine, Caddo, Comanche, Jackson, Major and Woodward Counties. The mineral is used as a plaster for interior walls and wallboard, and soil conditioners. Oklahoma is ranked 4th in gypsum production in 2010.
Gypsum Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
6
9
1,141
2,025
202,928
3,373,936 Counties
Blaine
438,008
Caddo
965,445
Jackson
522,569
Kingfisher
100,317
Major
1,341,580
Woodward
6,018
25
IRON ORE
The term "iron ore" refers to any body of rock which contains economically extractable quantities of iron. The most common iron ores are the iron-based minerals Hematite, Magnetite and Goethite. These minerals occur quite commonly throughout the world and account for the majority of iron ore production. These minerals occur in sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic environments with percentages of iron contained in typical ores ranging from thirty to sixty-five percent or higher. No iron ore has been mined in Oklahoma since 1988.
LEAD & ZINC
Lead and zinc ores were discovered in the Ottawa County region of northeastern Oklahoma in 1904. Rapid development of these resources and those in neighboring Kansas and Missouri made the Tri-State Mining District the leading producer of lead and zinc in the world. In almost every year from 1918 until 1945, Oklahoma led the world in the production of zinc. The greatest production levels were reached shortly after the discovery of the ore bodies at Picher in 1914; production highs for both lead and zinc mining industries were recorded in 1925. Production dropped to pre-World War I levels during the Great Depression. Although a minor resurgence in production occurred just before and during the Second World War, the lead and zinc mining industries were never able to again come close to the boom of the 1920's. Declining world prices forced a temporary shutdown of the field in 1959 and 1960; the mines were permanently closed in October, 1970. Depletion of the higher grade ores in the field, a decline of the world price, and the cost of continual pumping made mining in the once-great mining center uneconomical and forced its closure. During the years of production, Oklahoma mines produced 1.3 million tons of recoverable lead and 5.2 million tons of recoverable zinc.
The lead and zinc mines of the Tri-State District operated with the room-and-pillar method of mining; many of the rooms were as much as sixty feet in height, with only a thin roof of rock separating them from the surface. Some of the contaminated waters from the mines have seeped into the drinking water and surface water systems of the area. In the 1980's and again in the early 2000's, the Department of Mines worked with task forces which focused on the pollution problems resulting from this situation. Extensive funding has been provided at various times by both the State of Oklahoma and the federal government for the remediation of soil and water contamination, but some of the problems persist. Relocation of some residents is now taking place.
26
LIMESTONE
Limestone represents one of the most widely available of the mineral resources of Oklahoma, and has generally accounted for around 57% of the reported tonnage of all non-fuel minerals mined in the state. Three major production areas exist within Oklahoma: the Tulsa-Rogers-Mayes County region of northeastern Oklahoma north of the Arkansas River; the Arbuckle Mountains region of Murray County and extending into Pontotoc County; and the Wichita Mountains area of Comanche and Kiowa Counties. Limestone is used mainly in the crusted state as concrete aggregate for building highways and other structures, railroad ballast, glass manufacturing, cement production, preparation of lime and agricultural purposes. Some limestone is used as dimensional building stone.
Limestone Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
37
56
11,049
14,260
1,943,654
41,703,789 Counties 2010
Adair
4,300
Atoka
2,025,785
Bryan
20,916
Caddo
176,500
Carter
860,237
Cherokee
766,550
Choctaw
2,182,367
Comanche
3,834,155
Craig
428,174
Creek
749,920
Delaware
193
Ellis
177,239
Haskell
448,243
Johnston
5,462,161
Kay
171,434
Kiowa
2,803,770
LeFlore
34,939
Mayes
1,301,107
McCurtain
711,268
McIntosh
228,606
Nowata
80,284
Murray
5,140,665
Osage
558,668
27
Limestone Production Cont… County 2010
Ottawa
565,514
Pawnee
295,971
Payne
332,848
Pittsburg
1,147,958
Pontotoc
1,487,310
Pushmataha
61,613
Rogers
4,905,443
Seminole
521,810
Sequoyah
856,985
Tulsa
2,465,364
Wagoner
375,654
Washington
519,838
SAND & GRAVEL
Sand and gravel is produced in most counties in Oklahoma from deposits that are found near the many rivers and streams. Principal uses are in mixing concrete for highway building and other construction, and for railroad ballast. Silica sands, found chiefly in the Arbuckle Mountain region of south-central Oklahoma, are used in the manufacture of various grades of glass and other chemical and industrial activities.
Sand & Gravel Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
57
238
7,509
28,235
1,103,768
16,038,410 Counties
Atoka
191,603
Beaver
278,610
Beckham
10,300
Bryan
1,529,434
Caddo
17,265
Canadian
757,558
Carter
132,227
Cherokee
18,400
Choctaw
95,335
Cimarron
9,303
Cleveland
605,897
Comanche
122,274
28
Sand & Gravel Production Cont… County 2010
Cotton
332,232
Creek
138,899
Delaware
3,242
Dewey
177,343
Garfield
42,350
Garvin
3,800
Grady
7,285
Harper
13,769
Haskell
480
Hughes
5,845
Jackson
21,563
Johnston
1,880,169
Kay
210,203
Kingfisher
540,015
Kiowa
83,157
LeFlore
481,188
Lincoln
38,700
Logan
386,084
Love
600,894
Major
28,235
Mayes
27,580
McClain
69,834
McCurtain
2,680
McIntosh
330
Murray
17,203
Muskogee
440,714
Okfuskee
3,108
Oklahoma
1,391,813
Okmulgee
62,170
Pawnee
26,434
Payne
123,913
Pittsburg
27,979
Pontotoc
1,035,456
Pottawatomie
217,598
Rogers
3,096
Seminole
52,792
Sequoyah
161,527
Stephens
1,410
Tillman
141,146
Tulsa
1,296,393
Wagoner
1,424,341
Woodward
40,603
29
SALT
Oklahoma’s vast salt reserves underlie most of the northwestern portion of the state. Salt brine, dissolved from underground deposits by ground water, is brought to the surface either as natural springs or by pumping; the salt is recovered as a residue through solar evaporation of the brine. Salt is used primarily for stock feeds, recharging water softeners, and road de-icing.
Salt Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
1
1
270
204
49,120
95,928 Counties
Woods
95,928
SELECT FILL
Select Fill is a clay-based excavated product that packs well. This dirt has some rocks present but is generally composed of clay and or silty sand; and is appropriate for filling holes or a base for other materials, around a house foundation or berm.
Select Fill Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage 1 1 123 543 12,192 672,896 Counties
Woods
672,896
30
SHALE
Shale is a classic sedimentary rock typically composed of variable amounts of clay sized particles and weathering debris. Addition of variable amounts of other minerals constituents alters the color of the rock. In manufacturing, shale is used as a filler material for concrete and brick. Shale Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage 1 1 302 637 16,968 774,473 Counties
Blaine
774,473
TRIPOLI
Tripoli is the general name for soft, porous silica found in sedimentary rocks in Ottawa County and neighboring parts of Missouri and Arkansas. Primarily used as an abrasive, it is also used in concrete and as paint filler. One company is at present responsible for the production in Oklahoma. The United States is self-sufficient in Tripoli and much of the product is exported.
Tripoli Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
1
1
14
213
2,048
51,520 Counties
Ottawa
51,520
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VOLCANIC ASH
Volcanic Ash is composed of fine, uncemented particles of volcanic dust that were deposited in lakes during pre-historic activity. These deposits occur in many western and central counties in Oklahoma. The material is primarily used for concrete mixtures, abrasives, and insulating compounds.
Volcanic Ash Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
1
1
1
1
8
400 Counties
Ottawa
400
32
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Brian Cardott
Oklahoma Geological Survey
Coal Geologist
University of Oklahoma
Dr. Samuel A. Friedman
Oklahoma Geological Survey
Energy Center
University of Oklahoma
Arnold O. Tanner
US Geological Survey
Reston, Virginia
Oklahoma Department of Libraries
Archives Division
Government Documents Division
Stan T. Krukowski
Oklahoma Geological Survey
Energy Center
University of Oklahoma
SOURCES
Mineral Resources of the United States
United States Geological Survey, Department of the Interior - 1891 through 1924 reports
Mineral Resources of the United States
Bureau of Mines, Department of Commerce - 1925 through 1931 reports
Mineral Yearbook
Bureau of Mines, Department of the Interior - 1932 through 1979 reports
Oklahoma's Metallic and Non-Metallic Minerals
Industrial Development Division, Oklahoma Planning and Resources Board 1952
Annual Report - Office of the Territorial Mine Inspector - 1884 through 1907 reports
Annual Report - Office of the Chief Mine Inspector - 1910 through 1983 reports
Annual Report - Oklahoma Department of Mines -1984 through 2007 reports

STATE OF OKLAHOMA
HONORABLE MARY FALLIN
GOVENOR
ANNUAL REPORT
OKLAHOMA MINING COMMISSION
DEPARTMENT OF MINES
Ninety Fourth Annual Report
Calendar Year 2010
Mary Ann Pritchard
DirectorANNUAL REPORT
2010
This publication printed by
Department of Central Services
Central Printing
As authorized by Mary Ann Pritchard, Director
In compliance with Title 45, Section 31,
Oklahoma Statutes
Copies of this report may be obtained from
Oklahoma Department of Mines
2915 North Classen Boulevard, Suite 213
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106
405.427.3859
405.427.9646 Fax
405.424.4932 Fax
Table of Contents
Mining in Oklahoma – Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Oklahoma Department of Mines Key Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Office of Chief Mine Inspector / Directors / State Mining Board . . . . . . . 3
Oklahoma Mining Commission / 2010 Commission Members . . . . . . . . . . 4
Oklahoma Miner Training Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Public Service/Safety Committee/Mine Health & Safety Conference . . . . . 6
Geology & Mineral Resources of Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Oklahoma Mining Production 2010 / Oklahoma Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Coalbed Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Coal Production 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Coalbed Production 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Surface & Underground Tonnage Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Major Mining Disasters in Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Non-Fuel Minerals / Minerals Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Asphalt / Bentonite / Caliche Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Chat / Clay Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Copper / Dimensional Stone Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Granite / Gypsum Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Iron Ore / Lead & Zinc Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Limestone Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Sand & Gravel Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Salt & Select Fill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Shale & Tripoli Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Volcanic Ash Production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Acknowledgements / Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
i1
MINING IN OKLAHOMA – OVERVIEW
The Oklahoma mining industry has been very important to Oklahoma since before statehood. Currently, mining provides the basic raw materials for all of the products that we require so that: “If it is not grown, it must be mined”.
The Oklahoma Department of Mines regulates the production of solid minerals in the state, including coal and non-fuel minerals (crushed stone/limestone, granite, sand/gravel, clay/shale, dimensional stone, gypsum, salt, tripoli, asphalt, Bentonite, copper, iron ore, volcanic ash, lead/zinc, chat). The Oklahoma Corporation Commission regulates the production of the liquid and gaseous minerals in the state including iodine and helium, which are non-fuel minerals whose values are included below in the national statistics for non-fuel minerals used in this report. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission also regulates the production of the fuel minerals, oil and natural gas, which are reported as a separate Oil/Gas category for state and national statistics and are not included in the non-fuel mineral production report totals.
According to the National Mining Association, Oklahoma ranked 30th in the US in
non-fuel mineral production in 2010 with a value of $646 million. Oklahoma is ranked 4th in the US producing 69.3 million tons of industrial sand and gravel in 2010, as well as gypsum production at 3.3 million tons. The non-fuel mineral industry employed approximately 28,000 workers with an average annual income of $42,000 in 2010. Mining production in Oklahoma is expected to grow due to increased needs for major repairs and expansion of Oklahoma’s highway and bridge infrastructure.
Oklahoma receives 44%, almost half of its electric power from coal. Coal production decreased from 1 million short tons in 2009 to 956 thousand short tons in 2010. In 2009, Oklahoma ranked 22nd in the nation for coal production.
The Oklahoma mining industry has achieved these production levels with an excellent record of safety and environmental responsibility. Nationally, mining safety has been greatly improved from it past history. Construction, Agriculture and Manufacturing rates are down to around 6 recordable injuries per 100 workers per year. Mining accident rates are down to around 4 recordable injuries per 100 workers per year, with the only the Service and Office sectors having lower rates. While the potential hazards at mines still exist, the continuing diligent efforts of all the mining companies and their employees are proving their great value for achieving productive, safe, and environmentally responsible mining.
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OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR - STATE OF OKLAHOMA
DEPARTMENT OF MINES - KEY PERSONNEL
Director ………………………….………………………………… Mary Ann Pritchard
Deputy Director ……………..……..……………………….… Doug Schooley
Coal Program Director ……..…………………..…………. Rhonda Dossett
Chief Counsel ……………………………………………………. Mark Secrest
Chief Financial Officer ………………………………….….. Suzen Rodesney
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF MINES
The Office of the Chief Mine Inspector was created before statehood for the safe operation of mines and the protection of the health of those employed in the mines. The territorial years were well noted for the many mining disasters, and officials were busied with the necessary investigations and recommendations following each serious or fatal accident. Over the years major revisions in mining health and safety laws and the increase in surface mining versus underground mining helped to decrease mining fatalities in Oklahoma.
The extraction or mining of minerals from the earth occurs in every county of the state. Minerals mined in Oklahoma include coal, limestone, sand and gravel, gypsum, clay and shale, granite, volcanic ash, tripoli, salt, bentonite, iron ore, asphalt, copper and chat.
Before commencement of mining operations, a permit must be obtained from the Department. A permit is issued when the mine operator submits an acceptable application and posts adequate bond to cover reclamation costs should it be necessary for a third party to complete the reclamation process. The mining operator's permit application must include the requirements for legal and financial compliance, the safeguard of environmental resources, and an operations and reclamation plan. Before opening the site, the employees of the mining operation must be trained and certified in accordance with state and federal safety regulations. Mining practices, reclamation, and health and safety procedures are monitored on a regular basis by Department inspectors.
The general provisions of Title 45 O.S. address health and safety on the mine site and reclamation of mined land. In 1967, the Oklahoma Legislature passed the state's first reclamation law which became effective January 1, 1968. That law was replaced in July, 1971 with the Mining Lands Reclamation Act, which requires better reclamation in general and includes all mining. Until the passage of such legislation, however, 17,000 acres had been mined with little or no reclamation. This Act is still in effect for non-coal lands.
The Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 were created by Congress with the passage of Public Law 95-87. Subsequently, the State of Oklahoma enacted further legislation to equal the enforcement ability of the federal government. The Coal Reclamation Act of 1978 enabled Oklahoma to operate the interim program law and regulations (Section 715, CFR 30) under P. L. 95-87. It was followed by permanent standards adopted in 1979.
3
OFFICE OF CHIEF MINE INSPECTOR ABOLISHED
In 1986, State Question 594 was passed by the Oklahoma voters. This amended sections of the Oklahoma Constitution by removing all mention of the Chief Mine Inspector. The Department of Mines is now administered by a Director chosen by the Mining Commission. The Director must be knowledgeable of the Oklahoma mining industry and have the ability to administer the functions of the Department.
DIRECTORS, DEPARTMENT OF MINES
Gayle Townley ............................................................................ 1986 -- 1987
Bennie Cox .................................................................................. 1987 -- 1993 James Hamm .................................................................................. 1993 -- 1998
Mary Ann Pritchard ...................................................................... 1998 -- Present
CHIEF MINE INSPECTORS
Pete Hanraty .................................................................................. 1907 -- 1910
R. W. Church .................................................................................. 1910 -- 1911
Ed Boyle .................................................................................. 1911 -- 1927
Miller D. Hay .................................................................................. 1927 -- 1931
Robert Brown .................................................................................. 1931 -- 1947
John M. Malloy................................................................................. 1947 -- 1963
Ward Padgett .................................................................................. 1963 -- 1980
Otis English .................................................................................. 1980 – 1980
DEPUTY CHIEF MINE INSPECTORS
Blaney Qualls ................................................................................. 1980 -- 1984
Gayle Townley ................................................................................. 1984 -- 1986
TERRITORIAL DIRECTORS
Luke W. Bryan ....................................................................... 1894 -- 1901
William Cameron ....................................................................... 1901 -- 1907
STATE MINING BOARD
The State Mining Board was established at statehood with the express purpose of testing and certifying persons who would hold the important positions of mine superintendent, foreman, hoisting engineer, and fire boss. The Board was later given additional responsibilities: to promulgate and enforce rules and regulations with regard to the health and safety of persons employed in the mines, to issue or revoke certificates of competency for surface and underground mine positions, to require the submission and review of plans and specifications for underground mine ventilation and safety and to recommend approval or denial of such plans to the Chief Mine Inspector. In addition, the Board acted as mediator between miners and operators on matters of health and safety; the decision of the Board was binding unless overturned by an opinion of the Attorney General or by a court of law. 4
As revised by the 1982 Legislature, the Mining Board was composed of ten members. Four of the members were strip miners, of which at least two represented the industry mining non-coal minerals. Two members were practical miners, who held either underground mine superintendent, mine foreman, or fire boss certification. Two members were owners or superintendents of coal mines. One member was a non-supervisory miner who was actively employed in an underground coal mine for at least five years and held a minimum of a fire boss certificate. The last member was the Chief Mine Inspector, who was the executive officer of the Board.
THE OKLAHOMA MINING COMMISSION
In 1985, the State Legislature abolished the State Mining Board and replaced it with the Oklahoma Mining Commission. This nine member board, which held its first meeting in January, 1986, is the policy-determining body of the Department of Mines and determines the broad plans and programs for the Department.
The membership of the Commission consists of one person with a background in engineering or geology; one person with a background in labor or worker's safety; one person with a background in agriculture or soil conservation; one person with a background in transportation; one person with a background in economic development or banking; one person with a background in public utilities; one person with a background in natural resources; and two persons selected at large.
OKLAHOMA MINING COMMISSION - 2010
J. Clement Burdick III, Vice Chairman ............................... Edmond, OK
Position #1; Engineering/Geology
Kris Kinder ....................................................................... Ninnekah, OK
Position #2; Labor/Worker’s Safety
George E. Fraley, Chairman .............................................. Chelsea, OK
Position #3; Agriculture/Conservation
Dave Donoley, Secretary .................................................. Wilburton, OK
Position #4; Transportation
Bill Willis, ……………………………………………………………………… Granite, OK
Position #5; Banking/Economic Development
Jan Kunze ....................................................................... Okla. City, OK
Position #6: Public Utilities
Larry Ennis ....................................................................... Ada, OK
Position #7; Natural Resources
Ernest Achterberg ........................................................... Tulsa, OK
Position #8; At-Large
Tim Lochridge ……………………..................................... Sulphur, OK
Position #9; At-Large
5
OKLAHOMA MINER TRAINING INSTITUTE
The Oklahoma Miner Training Institute (OMTI) is operated under the direction of the Oklahoma Mining Commission. The Institute, located at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton, OK provides training in all aspects of mine safety and health. Regularly scheduled classes are provided at the school, or at the mine sites throughout the state to minimize the inconvenience to both miners and operators. All training provided by the Oklahoma Miner Training Institute in Wilburton is free of charge to the mining companies who hold permits in Oklahoma.
Courses Offered by OMTI
Accident Prevention Mine Gases
Annual Refresher Training New Miner Training #1 (Surface)
Annual Refresher (Underground) New Miner Training #2 (Surface) Blasting Certification (Surface) New Miner Training (Underground) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) State and Federal Regulations
Electrical Training State Surface Certification
Electrical Retraining State Surface Certification Refresher
Fire Prevention and Control Surface Blasters Refresher
First Aid (Initial) Underground Rescue Training
First Aid (Refresher)
Instructor Training
OMTI Personnel
Aaron Farris, Director
Danita Oller, Secretary
Danny Thornburg, Instructor
OKLAHOMA MINER TRAINING INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT For the Years of 2010
Year
# Miners Trained
Total #
Of Classes
Total #
Classroom Hours
Coal
Metal/Non-Metal
2010
95
4,282
267
1,764
6
PUBLIC SERVICE
The Oklahoma Department of Mines was proud to present its first Student Outreach Program in April 2000. The Student Outreach Program was designed to provide students and teachers of Oklahoma with a better understanding of the mining process in Oklahoma. The Department conducted three student outreach presentations during 2010. At Okay Elementary School, ODM interacted with fourth and fifth grade students explaining the permitting process, phases of mining, and demonstrated how a seismograph and a Hack Kit works to test water. ODM presented an exhibit at the Annual ScienceFest at the Oklahoma City Zoo with a hands-on demonstration of seismographs and information on how they are used in mining. ODM also did a presentation at the Tahlequah Rock & Mineral Show providing information on geology, blasting, reclamation and general information about mining.
SAFETY COMMITTEE
The Oklahoma Mining Commission established a Safety Committee on March 16, 2000. This committee creates and produces monthly “Safety-Grams” for distribution to all mining permittees and operators in Oklahoma. Twenty-four individual Safety-Grams were published from January to December 2010. The Safety-Grams cover a variety of topics including basic first-aid, safe operation of mining equipment, and compliance with Oklahoma mining rules and regulations. Safety-Grams are posted or distributed on mine sites by the Department of Mines so that all mine employees have ready access to the information.
OKLAHOMA MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY CONFERENCE
The State of Oklahoma is one of a very few states that has its own Mine Health and Safety Conference. For the past nineteen years, the Oklahoma Miner Training Institute and the Oklahoma Department of Mines have joined with Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to co-host this conference. The purpose of the conference is to combat health and safety issues that plague the mining industry. This conference is usually held in the fall of the year at a designated site in Oklahoma City. As many as twelve other mining states come to Oklahoma to attend beneficial workshops and receive recognition awards for their safety efforts.
7
GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF OKLAHOMA
Geology
Oklahoma is a region of complex geology where several major sedimentary basins are set among mountain ranges and uplifts. The state contains many classic areas where fundamental concepts of geology, petroleum exploration, and mineral production have been formulated through the years. Because of its geologic history, Oklahoma has abundant mineral resources that include petroleum (crude oil and natural gas), coal, non-fuel minerals (lead, zinc, gypsum, limestone, salt, sand and gravel), and water.
Geologic forces deep within the earth’s crust hundreds of millions of years ago caused portions of Oklahoma to subside as major sedimentary basins, while adjacent areas were folding and thrust upward as major mountain uplifts. Most of the outcropping rocks in Oklahoma are of sandstone, limestone, and gypsum. These sedimentary rocks typically are 2,000-10,000 feet thick in the northern shelf areas, and they increase sharply to 30,000-40,000 feet thick in the deep basins of the south. These sedimentary rocks contain most of the state’s mineral resources, including petroleum, coal, water, and most of the non-fuel minerals. Sedimentary rocks rest upon a “basement” of igneous and metamorphic rocks that underlie all parts of the state.
Exposed in the southern Oklahoma mountain belts are a great variety of sedimentary and igneous rock units seen at few other places in the entire mid-continent region. Steeply dipping strata, such as those exposed along Interstate 35 through the Arbuckle Mountains, attest to the strong geologic forces that folded and raised the mountain blocks. Outcropping rocks outside the mountain regions are essentially horizontal, with dips of less than one degree being most common. These strata typically form gently rolling hills and plains: thick shale units form broad, flat plains and valleys, where resistant layers of sandstone and limestone cap mesas, cuestas, and hills 100-500 feet high. Rocks and soils of western Oklahoma typically are red in color, due to oxides present in the bedrock, whereas rocks and soils elsewhere are shades of brown, gray, and black.
8
OKLAHOMA MINERALS
COAL
Oklahoma fuel resources include coal, oil, and natural gas. Coal mining is regulated by the Oklahoma Department of Mines and is discussed below. Oil and natural gas production are regulated by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and are not discussed in this report.
Identified coal resources are present in an area of approximately 8,000 square miles in 20 counties in eastern Oklahoma. This area is within the southern part of the Western Region of the Interior Coal Province of the United States (Campbell, 1917). The coal beds are of Middle and Late Pennsylvania age, 0.8 to 10 feet thick, 0.4% to 6.5% in sulfur content, coking or noncoking, contain 11,400 to 15,000 Btu/lb, and are low (2-7%) in inherent moisture.
9
Oklahoma contains the most significant deposits of bituminous coal between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. Although the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System is available for barging coal to international ports, most coal production sis shipped by truck or rail. As of January 1, 1994, 8.1 billion short tons of remaining coal resources have been identified; 76% are in the Arkoma basin and 24% are in the northeast Oklahoma shelf area. About 41% of the State’s coal resources are low- and medium-volatile bituminous in rank and are present in the Arkoma basin.
Remaining Identified (Bituminous) Coal Resources in Oklahoma January 1, 2007
County
Short Tons
(thousands)
Atoka
29,619
Coal
292,875
Craig
638,560
Creek
15,573
Haskell
1,509,081
Latimer
840,492
LeFlore
1,962,725
Mayes
31,094
McIntosh
36,319
Muskogee
95,531
Nowata
27,829
Okfuskee
155,964
Okmulgee
339,909
Pittsburg
1,383,833
Rogers
360,183
Sequoyah
27,146
Tulsa
169,974
Wagoner
128,945
Washington
23,450 Total 8,069,102
The bituminous coals of the state are low volatile in northern LeFlore County; medium volatile in northern LeFlore, Sequoyah, and most of Haskell Counties; high volatile A and B in Craig and Nowata Counties, parts of Haskell County, and in most of the remaining coal-bearing counties; and high volatile C in Coal and Pittsburg Counties.
10
The commercial coalbeds in the Northeast Oklahoma Shelf area are 0.8-5.0 feet thick, average 2.0 feet thick, dip westward from ½ degree to 2 degrees, and contain more than 3 percent sulfur by weight with the exception of the low-sulfur Croweburg and Secor coals. The coalbeds in the Arkoma Basin area are 1-10 feet thick and occur in eroded anticlines and synclines that trend northeastward. The coals crop out mostly along the sides of these folded and faulted structures, and their dip ranges from 3 degrees to nearly vertical.
The face cleat trend is northwestward in the coal beds of the Shelf and the Basin. In the Arkoma Basin, coals that exhibit steep dips (18 degrees to 65 degrees) commonly were mined before 1960. From 1960 to 1974, no mines were developed in steeply dipping coalbeds because of cost. The Arab oil embargo of 1973 resulted in increases in demand and prices for coal. Thus from 1974 to 1984, seven surface mines were developed in steeply dipping coalbeds in the Arkoma Basin, and they produced coking and metallurgical coal in which the sulfur content was only 1%. Coal from steeply dipping beds has not been mined since 1984 because of the high cost. Of the remaining coal resources in the state, 76% are in the Arkoma Basin and 24% are in the Shelf area. About 41% of the coal is low- and medium-volatile bituminous in rank, and it is in the Arkoma Basin. The weighted average sulfur content of the total remaining resources is 2.3%.
Approximately 680 million tons of Oklahoma's remaining coal resources were estimated (Friedman, 1974) as strippable from beneath 100 feet or less of overburden, in beds 12 inches or more in thickness. Strippable coal resources were reported in Atoka, Coal, Craig, Creek, Haskell, Latimer, LeFlore, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Nowata, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Pittsburg, Rogers, Sequoyah, Tulsa, and Wagoner Counties in 25 different coalbeds. The Demonstrated Reserve Base (DRB) shows 342 million tons as strippable (U.S. Department of Energy, 1996).
In 1986, the major use of Oklahoma coal was by out-of-state electric power generating plants, and the major use of Oklahoma coal in Oklahoma was in cement and lime kilns, at a paper plant, and for process heat at an auto assembly plant. In 1987, however, state law required blending 10% of the BTU value of total non-Oklahoma (Wyoming) coal consumed at Oklahoma power plants with Oklahoma coal. Consequently, a significant change took place in the distribution of Oklahoma coals by the end use. By 1991, more than 50% of Oklahoma coal production was shipped to Oklahoma electric power plants. Although the 1987 “10%” law was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in January 1992, the 1991 Oklahoma coal production increased 16% from 1990.
11
This is explained by a shift in shipments of Oklahoma coal in 1991 to the AES Shady Point fluidized-bed combustion power plant in LeFlore County. Nevertheless, about 18 million tons of low-sulfur (0.4%) subbituminous Wyoming coal was shipped to Oklahoma public utilities in 1997. Oklahoma power plants rank fourth among the states consuming coal imported from Wyoming. Cumulative coal production in Oklahoma (1873-2010) is 294 million tons.
COALBEDS
A total of 25 named bituminous coal beds are present and have been mined in eastern Oklahoma. Most past production has been from the Hartshorne, Lower Hartshorne, McAlester, and Croweburg Coals, which were mined by underground methods. A total of 85% of the coal produced in 2010 was mined at surface operations in the Hartshorne, Lower Hartshorne, Stigler, Secor, Croweburg, Morris and Iron Post Coals. One underground mine issued in 1995 increased its production of Hartshorne Coal from 43% in 2009 to 67% in 2010. Coal rank, generalized for all coals at or near the surface, ranges from high-volatile bituminous in the northeast Oklahoma shelf and western Arkoma Basin to medium-volatile bituminous and low-volatile bituminous in the eastern Arkoma Basin in Oklahoma. Rank increases from west to east and with depth in the Arkoma Basin, attaining semianthracite in Arkansas.
HARTSHORNE COAL
At the southern edge of the coal region in Oklahoma, the Hartshorne Coal commonly is split into two beds by shale and sandstone that are 1 to 100 feet thick. The two beds are called the Upper and Lower Hartshorne Coals, and they have been extensively mined. North of the position of the long axis of the Arkoma Basin, the Hartshorne Coal is not split but is a single bed 1 to 7 feet thick containing, in most places, a persistent black shale or mudstone parting about 1 to 5 inches thick. Core drilling and successful efforts at underground mine development since 1969 have demonstrated significant underground coal resources in the Hartshorne Coal in areas in Haskell and LeFlore Counties, where it is 3 to 7 feet thick, of low- or medium-volatile bituminous rank, and an excellent coking coal.
In 2010, 63% of Oklahoma’s coal production was from the Hartshorne Coal decreasing from 65% in 2009. The Hartshorne Coal is a prime target for coalbed methane production (Friedman, 1982). The Hartshorne Coalbed contains 1,552 million tons of remaining resources (Friedman, 1974) and large resources of coalbed methane. In 1988, the first coalbed methane production was reported from the Hartshorne Coalbed, where it is about 4 feet thick and 700 feet deep near Kinta, Haskell County.
LOWER HARTSHORNE COAL
Mined in the Arkoma Basin mostly for metallurgical coke manufacture for 115 years, the Lower Hartshorne Coal has been shipped to electric power plants since 1985. Hundreds of underground mines, many of them referred to as no more than “dog holes” have been 12
developed along the 120 miles of outcrop of the Lower Hartshorne Coal since 1872, at which time a railroad first connected McAlester, Pittsburg County, with Arkansas, and thus with the other states. The Lower Hartshorne Coal is 0.8 to 7.0 feet thick, averaging 4 feet in underground mines. The railroads used this premium-grade coal for steam, but historically the coal was shipped to blast furnaces in Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Japan. The Lower Hartshorne Coalbed contains at least 1,541 million tons of remaining coal resources (Friedman, 1974), and it also contains coalbed methane resources.
UPPER HARTSHORNE COAL
The Upper Hartshorne Coal was once extensively mined at outcrops on the flanks of anticlines in LeFlore, Haskell, Latimer and Pittsburg Counties. It is 2 to 4 feet thick and is low- or medium-volatile bituminous in rank in the east end of the Arkoma Basin and high-volatile in the west end. The Upper Hartshorne Coalbed contains 663 million tons of remaining coal resources (Friedman, 1974), and it also contains coalbed methane resources.
McALESTER COAL
The McAlester Coalbed has been extensively mined by underground methods at McAlester in central Pittsburg County and in southeastern Coal County. Throughout the Arkoma Basin, the McAlester Coalbed is 1.5 to 5.0 feet thick and mostly high-volatile bituminous in rank. The coal is thickest in Coal and Pittsburg Counties. It is suitable for use in electric power generation, for blending with higher rank coal for coke manufacture, in cement and lime manufacture, and it is suitable for gasification and liquefaction conversion processes. The McAlester Coal contains 1,012 million tons of remaining resources (Friedman, 1974), and it contains significant coalbed methane resources in places where it is 3 to 5 feet thick.
STIGLER COAL
Correlated with the McAlester Coal (Friedman, 1978), the Stigler Coal has been mined historically to depths of 30 to 45 feet by surface methods in Haskell, LeFlore, Muskogee and Sequoyah Counties. The Stigler Coal was mined to 100 feet in Sequoyah County and to 140 feet in Haskell County. Mostly of low- and medium-volatile bituminous rank, the low-sulfur (0.5 to 1.0%) Stigler Coal has been used in coke manufacture in U.S. and overseas markets. In 1978-1979, 11 companies operated surface mines in this high BTU (13,000 - 14,500) coal, where it is 1.0 to 2.7 feet thick. This premium grade coal is overlain by 15 to 110 feet of medium- and dark-gray mudstone, the Stigler Rider Coal (correlated with the Upper McAlester Coal of Latimer, Pittsburg and Coal Counties), one sandstone bed, and in places, Quaternary silt and sand. The Stigler Coalbed contains 533 million tons of remaining resources (Friedman, 1974). Less than 15% of Oklahoma’s coal production was from the Stigler Coal in 2010 and less than 10% in 2009.
CAVANAL COAL
The Cavanal Coal, moderate in ash and high in sulfur content, is of medium-volatile bituminous rank and crops out on the synclinal flanks of Cavanal Mountain in LeFlore County (Knechtel, 1949). Of high-volatile bituminous rank, it was mapped in Pittsburg County 13
(Hendricks, 1937). In 1976, it was mined at a surface operation on the north side of Cavanal Mountain, where it is 2 feet thick and overlain by 35 feet of blue-gray shale that is overlain by sandstone. Total remaining resources in the Cavanal Coal in the Arkoma Basin are 159 million tons (Friedman, 1974). About 60 feet below the Cavanal, the Lower Cavanal Coal, 2.0 to 2.2 feet thick, was mined by surface and underground methods in LeFlore County in 1942-43 (Knechtel, 1949). This medium-volatile bituminous coal contains undetermined resources.
LOWER WITTEVILLE COAL
The Lower Witteville Coal is widely distributed in the Arkoma Basin. In the first half of the twentieth century, underground mines produced 522,000 tons of this coal from Cavanal Mountain, LeFlore County, where it is 3 to 4 feet thick and contains thin shale partings. The Lower Witteville may correlate with the Drywood Coal in the Savanna Formation of the Northeast Shelf area (Friedman, 1982), or with an unnamed coal that occurs in a shale interval within the Bluejacket sandstone member of the Boggy Formation (Hemish, 1994). It is medium-volatile bituminous in rank, and thus it probably contains coalbed methane resources. The Lower Witteville Coal contains 52 million tons of identified coal resources in LeFlore County (Friedman, 1974).
ROWE COAL
A high-sulfur, high-volatile bituminous coal, the Rowe is 0.8 to 3.0 feet thick in Craig, Mayes, Muskogee, Rogers and Wagoner Counties. The remaining resources in the Rowe Coal are 25 million tons (Hemish, 1986, 1989). The Rowe Coal may be suitable for gasification and liquefaction conversion processes.
SECOR COAL
The Secor Coal in the Boggy Formation contains a minimum of 446 million tons of identified coal resources (Friedman, 1974). Recent exploration and mining indicates that additional millions of tons of this coal are present in LeFlore County. The Secor Coalbed is 1.5 to 4.3 feet thick, moderately brightly banded and medium-to-high-volatile bituminous in rank. High in ash and sulfur content, it contains 12,000 to 14,000 BTU/lb. The coal has been considered of marginal economic value for most markets. Discovery of a rare occurrence of a low-sulfur (1% or less) deposit of the Secor Coal in McIntosh and Wagoner Counties (Friedman, 1978) resulted in 3.2 million tons of production of this rare coal from 10 strip mines from 1978-1990.
WEIR-PITTSBURG COAL
Correlated from outcrops and drilling data in southeastern Kansas (Friedman, 1974), the Weir-Pittsburg Coal contains 496 million tons of identified coal resources in the Northeastern Oklahoma Shelf. Mined by surface methods in Craig, Mayes, Rogers, and Wagoner Counties, the Weir-Pittsburg Coal is 1.1 to 3.0 feet thick and is overlain by 20 to 30 feet of gray shale that in some places contains marine invertebrate fossils. This coal is high in sulfur (more than 3%) and ash (more than 12%). No production has been reported from this coalbed since 1980 because its run-of-mine condition has been of marginal economic value. 14
MINERAL COAL & MORRIS COAL
The Mineral is a high-volatile bituminous coal, 1.2 to 2.7 feet thick, averaging 1.8 feet in Craig, Nowata, Rogers, Tulsa, and Wagoner Counties. The Mineral Coal is overlain by a hard, thin, impure limestone and gray shale in most places in Craig County. Dunham and Trumbull (1955) described the Morris Coal as 7 to 30 inches thick, averaging 16 inches in the Henryetta Mining District. About 30 million short tons of identified resources of Morris Coal have been determined (Friedman, 1974). Although adverse geologic and mining conditions are present in the faulted area north of Morris, additional resources and recoverable reserves of Morris Coal undoubtedly are present in other places in Okmulgee County. Physical, chemical, petrographic and stratigraphic characteristics of the Morris Coal strongly indicate its correlation with the Mineral Coal of the Northern Shelf area (and of Kansas and Missouri)(Friedman, 1974, 1982). The Eram Coal in Okmulgee County is also correlated with the Mineral Coal (Hemish, 1988). The Mineral Coal (and equivalent coalbeds) contains 198 million tons of identified coal resources in Craig, Nowata, Okmulgee, Rogers, Tulsa, and Wagoner Counties (Hemish, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1994).
CROWEBURG COAL
The Croweburg has been one of three leading coals produced in Oklahoma, because it contains 1% or less sulfur and a Free Swelling Index (FSI) of 6 or more in most of the area of its distribution in the Northeastern Oklahoma Shelf. A total of 681 million tons of identified remaining resources of the Croweburg Coal has been reported (Hemish, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1994) as present in Oklahoma. The Croweburg has been known as the Henryetta Coal, the Broken Arrow Coal, and the “Sequoyah” Coal (Oakes, 1944). In 2010, 17% of coal production in Oklahoma was Croweburg Coal.
IRON POST COAL
Fort Scott Coal is also known as Iron Post Coal. The Iron Post Coal is the uppermost commercial coal in the Senora Formation. It crops out across Craig, Nowata, and Rogers Counties in an irregular line roughly parallel to the outcrop line of the Croweburg Coal. The Iron Post Coal lies about 30 to 50 feet above the Verdigris Limestone and is overlain by a few inches to a few feet of black and gray shale. The shale is overlain in turn by a limestone known as Breezy Hill. It has a high BTU value that averages about 13,000. It averages about 12 inches in thickness, and has an average sulfur content of about 3.5%. Less than 1% of Oklahoma’s coal production was from Iron Post Coal and less than 2% in 2009.
15
COAL PRODUCTION
Oklahoma coal production has declined from its peak of 5.73 million tons in 1981 to a low of 978,842 thousand tons in 2010. This trend can be attributed to several factors, including the reduced demand for metallurgical coal, the loss of cement markets in Dallas, lower prices for coal, high transportation costs, lack of financial incentives, lack of available local investment capital, and lower prices for natural gas. One bright spot is the use of Oklahoma coal at the Applied Energy Services Cogeneration Plant near Shady Point, Oklahoma, which burns in excess of 800,000 tons of Oklahoma coal each year. Until recent years, the major consumption of Oklahoma coal had been by out-of-state utilities. Major in-state use of Oklahoma coal has been by the cement and lime industry and utilities. Like the oil and gas industries, the coal industry has experienced production cycles. There is potential for Oklahoma’s coal resources to provide the basis for economic growth; only the apex of coal resources has been exploited.
Coal Production Information (Tons Produced) 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
6
4
178
1,866
433,644
978,842 Counties 2010
Haskell
140,692
LeFlore
615,304
Nowata/Craig
3,342
Okmulgee
1,974
Rogers
173934 Coal Permit Activities
Permits Issued
2
Permits on Inspectable Units List
58
Acreage Permitted
24,463
Inspections Conducted
512
Violations Issued
22
Phase III Bond Releases Approved
2
Revisions Issued
20 16
0100,000200,000300,000400,000500,000600,000700,000615,304208,13012,741140,6921,97400Oklahoma Coalbed Prodution -Tons2010
17
COAL Surface & Underground Tonnage Comparison YEAR (Fiscal) Surface Underground % Surface Mined Total
1930
351,109
2,905,557
11 3,256,666
1932
245,344
1,146,401
18
1,391,745
1933
228,674
758,230
23
986,904
1934
278,199
841,803
25
1,120,002
1935
275,233
832,590
25
1,107,823
1936
268,058
974,880
20
1,242,947
1937
452,704
875,037
36
1,327,741
1938
430,961
921,534
32
1,352,495
1939
355,175
707,037
33
1,062,212
1940
499,989
840,340
37
1,340,329
1941
675,429
982,583
41
1,658,012
1942
851,223
1,241,236
41
2,092,459
1943
1,273,960
1,582,462
45
2,856,422
1944
1,377,637
1,408,855
49
2,786,492
1945
1,804,954
1,295,974
58
3,100,928
1946
1,630,250
1,008,860
62
2,639,110
1947
1,812,881
1,013,885
64
2,826,766
1948
2,270,668
1,149,484
66
3,420,152
1949
2,218,492
991,960
69
3,210,452
1950
2,042,705
856,823
70
2,899,528
1951
1,437,278
957,691
60
2,394,969
1952
1,203,020
958,306
56
2,161,326
1953
1,426,672
870,162
62
2,296,834
1954
1,105,955
764,377
59
1,870,332
1955
1,118,841
787,440
59
1,906,281
1956
1,470,688
581,611
72
2,052,299
1957
1,469,891
474,875
76
1,944,766
1958
1,434,555
430,985
77
1,865,540
1959
1,347,922
348,608
80
1,696,530
1960
1,064,938
425,999
71
1,490,937
1961
953,265
128,436
88
1,081,701
1962
891,431
161,294
85
1,052,725
1963
956,232
55,713
94
1,011,945
1964
1,026,162
12,817
99
1,038,979
1965
954,043
9,523
99
963,566
1966
835,692
6,291
99
841,983
1967
822,903
2,352
99
825,983
1968
1,059,263
45,979
96
1,105,242
1969
1,716,877
120,490
94
1,837,367
1970
2,204,870
237,594
90
2,442,464
1971
2,038,565
194,928
91
2,233,493
18
COAL Surface & Underground Tonnage Comparison Cont… YEAR (Fiscal) Surface Underground % Surface Mined Total
1972
2,445,311
84,900
97 2,530,211
1973
2,194,670
0
100
2,194,670
1974
2,374,685
0
100
2,374,685
1975
2,850,427
0
100
2,850,427
1976
3,626,781
0
100
3,636,781
1977
5,346,654
0
100
5,346,654
1978
5,425,432
3,246
99
5,428,678
1979
4,491,211
1,476
99
4,492,687
1980
5,338,287
3,102
99
5,341,389
1981
5,723,312
5,149
99
5,728,461
1982
4,619,783
39,556
99
4,659,339
1983
3,672,107
13,783
99
3,685,890
1984
4,226,106
0
100
4,226,106
1985
3,343,188
0
100
3,343,188
1986
2,969,523
6,751
98
2,976,274
1987
2,866,840
0
100
2,866,840
1988
2,117,536
0
100
2,117,536
1989
1,728,437
39,855
98
1,768,292
1990
1,523,797
102,963
94
1,626,760
1991
1,863,720
26,839
99
1,890,599
1992
1,691,406
58,590
97
1,749,996
1993
1,704,275
92,076
95
1,796,351
1994
1,900,114
10,647
99
1,910,761
1995
1,860,514
25,450
99
1,885,964
1996
1,570,393
136,702
92
1,707,095
1997
1,407,562
211,686
87
1,619,248
1998
1,439,708
294,205
83
1,733,913
1999
1,461,234
199,760
88
1,660,994
2000
1,349,036
244,577
85
1,593,613
2001
1,303,334
412,434
76
1,715,818
2002
930,657
463,481
67
1,394,138
2003
1,174,237
456,837
72
1,631,074
2004
1,269,968
409,068
76
1,679,036
2005
1,172,751
465,459
72
1,638,209
2006
1,315,872
464,086
74
1,779,958
2007
1,146,230
514,288
69
1,660,518
2008
1,027,291
442,338
70
1,469,629
2009
548,961
487,063
53
1,036,024
2010
569,929
408,913
54
978,842
19
MAJOR MINING DISASTERS IN OKLAHOMA
NAME & LOCATION
DATE
NUMBER
KILLED
CAUSE
Osage Coal & Mining, Krebs
03/00/1885
13
Gas & Dust
Mines #1 & #2, Savanna
04/06/1887
18
Gas & Dust
Osage Coal & Mining Co., Krebs
01/07/1892
96
Gas & Dust
Choctaw-Oklahoma Gulf Railway Co., Alderson
04/29/1901
5
Gas & Dust
McAlester Coal Co., Alderson
12/28/1901
6
Gas & Dust
McAlester Coal Co., Alderson
01/13/1902
6
Cage Dump
Milby-Dow Coal Co., Dow
01/13/1902
10
Mine Fire
Central Coal & Coke Co., Carbon
04/13/1903
6
Gas & Dust
Missouri-Kansas Co., Wilburton
04/30/1905
13
Gas & Dust
Poteau Coal & Mercantile Co., Witteville
04/30/1906
14
Dynamite
Hailey-Ola Coal Co., Haileyville
08/26/1908
29
Oil Fire
Rock Island Coal & Mining Co., Hartshorne
10/21/1909
10
Gas & Dust
Western Coal & Coke Co., Lehigh
03/31/1910
6
Gas & Dust
San Boise Coal Co., McCurtain
03/20/1912
73
Gas & Oil
Union Coal Co., Adamson
09/04/1914
14
Slope Cave-In
Rock Island Coal & Mining Co., Alderson
06/30/1919
15
Gas & Dust
MK & T Coal Co., Degnan
08/21/1920
10
Gas & Dust
McCurtain Improvement Co., McCurtain
10/20/1922
8
Gas & Dust
Eastern Coal Co., Wilburton
01/13/1926
91
Gas & Dust
Superior Smokeless Coal Co., Tahona
09/03/1926
16
Gas & Dust
Covington Coal Co., Poteau
12/17/1929
61
Gas & Dust
Sample Coal Co., McAlester
10/30/1930
30
Gas & Dust
Hailey-Ola Coal Co., Haileyville
11/29/1930
13
Gas & Dust
Bond Valley Coal Co., Haileyville
01/17/1945
9
Gas & Dust 20
NON-FUEL MINERALS Oklahoma’s mines exclusively produced industrial minerals; no metals were mined in the state, based upon USGS estimates of the quantities produced in the 50 states during 2010. Oklahoma was one of only two states that produced iodine in 2009. Oklahoma also continued to be the first in gypsum production in 2008 falling to the fourth largest producer in 2010. Additionally, the state continued to be a significant producer of crushed stone, portland cement, construction sand and gravel, and masonry cement for 2010. In 2010, Oklahoma’s estimated value of non-coal raw mineral production was $646 million based upon the annual U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data. The state ranked 27th in 2009 and 30th in 2010 among the 50 states in total non-fuel mineral production value, of which Oklahoma accounted for nearly 1% of the U. S. total value. In 2010, crushed stone continued to be Oklahoma’s leading non-fuel mineral commodity, accounting for two-fifths of the state’s total non-fuel mineral production value. Based upon value, crushed stone was followed by construction sand and gravel, industrial sand and gravel, gypsum and iodine. The combined values of three of Oklahoma’s four major construction materials - crushed stone, sand and gravel, and gypsum (descending order of value) - accounted for 63% of the total value.
MINERALS PERMITS
Minerals Mining Permit Activities 2010
Permits Issued
51
Revisions Issued
61
Annual Renewals Processed
551
Inspections Conducted
5,632
Violations Issued
580 Non-Mining Blasting Activity 2010
Blasting Permits Issued
18
Blasting Plans Reviewed
33
Blasting Exemptions Issued
100
Non-Mining Blasting Inspections
23
Violations Issued
0
21
ASPHALT
Asphalt is a viscous residue of petroleum found in porous rocks. It was mined commercially in Oklahoma from around 1900 through 1960, primarily in Murray and Atoka Counties, but has not been mined in recent years.
BENTONITE
Bentonite is either of two principally aluminum silicate clays, containing some magnesium and iron, distinguished by sodium or calcium content with corresponding high or low swelling capacity and used in various adhesives, cements, and ceramic fillers. There was no Bentonite production in 2010.
CALICHE
Caliche is a sedimentary rock, a hardened deposit of calcium carbonate. This calcium carbonate cements together other materials, including gravel, sand, clay, and silt. Caliche is generally light colored but can range from white to light pink to reddish-brown, depending on the impurities present. It is generally found on or near the surface, but it can be found in deeper subsoil deposits as well. The layers can vary from a few inches to feet thick, and multiple layers can exist in a single location.
Caliche Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
2
7
65
371
5,992
107,422 Counties
Ellis
106,614
Texas
808
22
CHAT (CHAT HAULING)
The term "chat" is applied to fragments of silicious rock, limestone, and dolomitic waste rejected in the lead-zinc milling operations that accompanied lead-zinc mining in Ottawa County, largely in the first half of the twentieth century. These chats, found as huge man-made mounds in that county, are utilized as construction aggregate, principally for railroad ballast, highway construction, and concrete production.
Chat Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
1
1
90
254
15,272
286,123 Counties
Ottawa
286,123
CLAY
Clay is a naturally occurring material composed primarily of fine-grained minerals. Clay deposits are mostly composed of clay minerals, a subtype of phyllosilicate minerals, which impart plasticity and harden when fired or dried; they also may contain variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure by polar attraction. Organic materials which do not impart plasticity may also be a part of clay deposits. Clay Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
20
50
977
2,796
96,972
1,241,188 Counties
Bryan
0
Canadian
448,068
Carter
3,930
Cherokee
42,209
Cleveland
39,180
Creek
19,690
Delaware
2,075
Greer
23,826
LeFlore
39,012
Lincoln
1,630
Logan
45,276
23
Clay Production Cont…. County 2010
Mayes
1,336
Muskogee
350
Oklahoma
84,964
Ottawa
292,871
Pontotoc
27,284
Rogers
86,400
Seminole
238,073
Sequoyah
22,434
Tulsa
87,388
COPPER
The occurrence of copper in Oklahoma has been known since the mid-19th century, when observations were first recorded in what is now Jefferson County. Studies in 1962 proved that deposits in Jackson County were of a sufficient quality and thickness for commercial value. First production from these reserves was in 1965, although the operation is inactive now.
DIMENSIONAL STONE
The term dimensional stone refers to stone that is finished to specific dimensions and shapes. Most commonly it is quarried in large rectangular blocks, which are then sawed into slabs for further finishing, and used in building, monuments, furniture industrial applications and other uses. Other stone, sold as fieldstone, flagging, rubble and other similar names, is sold in either natural or broken sizes and shapes that are sorted into size ranges, but not finished or dressed to specific dimensions. These types of stone can be used for building, paving, decorative, or other purposes.
Dimensional Stone Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
6
14
5,119
12,363
793,648
392,788 Counties
Choctaw
3,626
Haskell
172,627
Latimer
7,089
Johnston
1,595
LeFlore
183,384
Muskogee
2,796
Pontotoc
1,130
Pittsburg
2,388
Sequoyah
2,153 24
GRANITE
Oklahoma’s commercially quarried granite deposits are confined to the Arbuckle and Wichita Mountains. Production is limited to Johnston and Murray Counties in the Arbuckle’s and Greer and Kiowa Counties in the Wichita’s. The variety of colors of granite found in Oklahoma makes it desirable for use as dimension stone and monument stone.
Granite Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
4
7
1,302
1,323
241,152
4,557,052 Counties
Greer
23,656
Johnston
2,530,921
Kiowa
835,373
Murray
1,167,102
GYPSUM
Gypsum is a calcium sulfate compound found in large quantities as rock in western Oklahoma, principally in Blaine, Caddo, Comanche, Jackson, Major and Woodward Counties. The mineral is used as a plaster for interior walls and wallboard, and soil conditioners. Oklahoma is ranked 4th in gypsum production in 2010.
Gypsum Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
6
9
1,141
2,025
202,928
3,373,936 Counties
Blaine
438,008
Caddo
965,445
Jackson
522,569
Kingfisher
100,317
Major
1,341,580
Woodward
6,018
25
IRON ORE
The term "iron ore" refers to any body of rock which contains economically extractable quantities of iron. The most common iron ores are the iron-based minerals Hematite, Magnetite and Goethite. These minerals occur quite commonly throughout the world and account for the majority of iron ore production. These minerals occur in sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic environments with percentages of iron contained in typical ores ranging from thirty to sixty-five percent or higher. No iron ore has been mined in Oklahoma since 1988.
LEAD & ZINC
Lead and zinc ores were discovered in the Ottawa County region of northeastern Oklahoma in 1904. Rapid development of these resources and those in neighboring Kansas and Missouri made the Tri-State Mining District the leading producer of lead and zinc in the world. In almost every year from 1918 until 1945, Oklahoma led the world in the production of zinc. The greatest production levels were reached shortly after the discovery of the ore bodies at Picher in 1914; production highs for both lead and zinc mining industries were recorded in 1925. Production dropped to pre-World War I levels during the Great Depression. Although a minor resurgence in production occurred just before and during the Second World War, the lead and zinc mining industries were never able to again come close to the boom of the 1920's. Declining world prices forced a temporary shutdown of the field in 1959 and 1960; the mines were permanently closed in October, 1970. Depletion of the higher grade ores in the field, a decline of the world price, and the cost of continual pumping made mining in the once-great mining center uneconomical and forced its closure. During the years of production, Oklahoma mines produced 1.3 million tons of recoverable lead and 5.2 million tons of recoverable zinc.
The lead and zinc mines of the Tri-State District operated with the room-and-pillar method of mining; many of the rooms were as much as sixty feet in height, with only a thin roof of rock separating them from the surface. Some of the contaminated waters from the mines have seeped into the drinking water and surface water systems of the area. In the 1980's and again in the early 2000's, the Department of Mines worked with task forces which focused on the pollution problems resulting from this situation. Extensive funding has been provided at various times by both the State of Oklahoma and the federal government for the remediation of soil and water contamination, but some of the problems persist. Relocation of some residents is now taking place.
26
LIMESTONE
Limestone represents one of the most widely available of the mineral resources of Oklahoma, and has generally accounted for around 57% of the reported tonnage of all non-fuel minerals mined in the state. Three major production areas exist within Oklahoma: the Tulsa-Rogers-Mayes County region of northeastern Oklahoma north of the Arkansas River; the Arbuckle Mountains region of Murray County and extending into Pontotoc County; and the Wichita Mountains area of Comanche and Kiowa Counties. Limestone is used mainly in the crusted state as concrete aggregate for building highways and other structures, railroad ballast, glass manufacturing, cement production, preparation of lime and agricultural purposes. Some limestone is used as dimensional building stone.
Limestone Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
37
56
11,049
14,260
1,943,654
41,703,789 Counties 2010
Adair
4,300
Atoka
2,025,785
Bryan
20,916
Caddo
176,500
Carter
860,237
Cherokee
766,550
Choctaw
2,182,367
Comanche
3,834,155
Craig
428,174
Creek
749,920
Delaware
193
Ellis
177,239
Haskell
448,243
Johnston
5,462,161
Kay
171,434
Kiowa
2,803,770
LeFlore
34,939
Mayes
1,301,107
McCurtain
711,268
McIntosh
228,606
Nowata
80,284
Murray
5,140,665
Osage
558,668
27
Limestone Production Cont… County 2010
Ottawa
565,514
Pawnee
295,971
Payne
332,848
Pittsburg
1,147,958
Pontotoc
1,487,310
Pushmataha
61,613
Rogers
4,905,443
Seminole
521,810
Sequoyah
856,985
Tulsa
2,465,364
Wagoner
375,654
Washington
519,838
SAND & GRAVEL
Sand and gravel is produced in most counties in Oklahoma from deposits that are found near the many rivers and streams. Principal uses are in mixing concrete for highway building and other construction, and for railroad ballast. Silica sands, found chiefly in the Arbuckle Mountain region of south-central Oklahoma, are used in the manufacture of various grades of glass and other chemical and industrial activities.
Sand & Gravel Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
57
238
7,509
28,235
1,103,768
16,038,410 Counties
Atoka
191,603
Beaver
278,610
Beckham
10,300
Bryan
1,529,434
Caddo
17,265
Canadian
757,558
Carter
132,227
Cherokee
18,400
Choctaw
95,335
Cimarron
9,303
Cleveland
605,897
Comanche
122,274
28
Sand & Gravel Production Cont… County 2010
Cotton
332,232
Creek
138,899
Delaware
3,242
Dewey
177,343
Garfield
42,350
Garvin
3,800
Grady
7,285
Harper
13,769
Haskell
480
Hughes
5,845
Jackson
21,563
Johnston
1,880,169
Kay
210,203
Kingfisher
540,015
Kiowa
83,157
LeFlore
481,188
Lincoln
38,700
Logan
386,084
Love
600,894
Major
28,235
Mayes
27,580
McClain
69,834
McCurtain
2,680
McIntosh
330
Murray
17,203
Muskogee
440,714
Okfuskee
3,108
Oklahoma
1,391,813
Okmulgee
62,170
Pawnee
26,434
Payne
123,913
Pittsburg
27,979
Pontotoc
1,035,456
Pottawatomie
217,598
Rogers
3,096
Seminole
52,792
Sequoyah
161,527
Stephens
1,410
Tillman
141,146
Tulsa
1,296,393
Wagoner
1,424,341
Woodward
40,603
29
SALT
Oklahoma’s vast salt reserves underlie most of the northwestern portion of the state. Salt brine, dissolved from underground deposits by ground water, is brought to the surface either as natural springs or by pumping; the salt is recovered as a residue through solar evaporation of the brine. Salt is used primarily for stock feeds, recharging water softeners, and road de-icing.
Salt Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
1
1
270
204
49,120
95,928 Counties
Woods
95,928
SELECT FILL
Select Fill is a clay-based excavated product that packs well. This dirt has some rocks present but is generally composed of clay and or silty sand; and is appropriate for filling holes or a base for other materials, around a house foundation or berm.
Select Fill Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage 1 1 123 543 12,192 672,896 Counties
Woods
672,896
30
SHALE
Shale is a classic sedimentary rock typically composed of variable amounts of clay sized particles and weathering debris. Addition of variable amounts of other minerals constituents alters the color of the rock. In manufacturing, shale is used as a filler material for concrete and brick. Shale Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage 1 1 302 637 16,968 774,473 Counties
Blaine
774,473
TRIPOLI
Tripoli is the general name for soft, porous silica found in sedimentary rocks in Ottawa County and neighboring parts of Missouri and Arkansas. Primarily used as an abrasive, it is also used in concrete and as paint filler. One company is at present responsible for the production in Oklahoma. The United States is self-sufficient in Tripoli and much of the product is exported.
Tripoli Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
1
1
14
213
2,048
51,520 Counties
Ottawa
51,520
31
VOLCANIC ASH
Volcanic Ash is composed of fine, uncemented particles of volcanic dust that were deposited in lakes during pre-historic activity. These deposits occur in many western and central counties in Oklahoma. The material is primarily used for concrete mixtures, abrasives, and insulating compounds.
Volcanic Ash Production Information 2010
Producing Counties
Companies Reporting
Men Employed, Average Per Month
Total Man Days Worked
Total Man Hours Worked
Total Tonnage
1
1
1
1
8
400 Counties
Ottawa
400
32
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Brian Cardott
Oklahoma Geological Survey
Coal Geologist
University of Oklahoma
Dr. Samuel A. Friedman
Oklahoma Geological Survey
Energy Center
University of Oklahoma
Arnold O. Tanner
US Geological Survey
Reston, Virginia
Oklahoma Department of Libraries
Archives Division
Government Documents Division
Stan T. Krukowski
Oklahoma Geological Survey
Energy Center
University of Oklahoma
SOURCES
Mineral Resources of the United States
United States Geological Survey, Department of the Interior - 1891 through 1924 reports
Mineral Resources of the United States
Bureau of Mines, Department of Commerce - 1925 through 1931 reports
Mineral Yearbook
Bureau of Mines, Department of the Interior - 1932 through 1979 reports
Oklahoma's Metallic and Non-Metallic Minerals
Industrial Development Division, Oklahoma Planning and Resources Board 1952
Annual Report - Office of the Territorial Mine Inspector - 1884 through 1907 reports
Annual Report - Office of the Chief Mine Inspector - 1910 through 1983 reports
Annual Report - Oklahoma Department of Mines -1984 through 2007 reports